The New York Yankees placed right-handed starting pitcher, Michael Pineda, on the 15-day disabled list on July 30, 2015. The 2011 All-Star was diagnosed with a forearm strain before his start against the Texas Rangers in a report from NJ.com.

Pineda started for Yankees' Double-A affiliate, Trenton Thunder. He threw a total of 42 pitches for three innings. He allowed four hits, two runs with no walks and no strikeouts.

In a separate report by NJ.com, Pineda's velocity and command were strong during the outing. One of his pitches clocked at 99mph and nine out of his 11 first pitches were strikes.

The Dominican said after his start, "I feel pretty good. I'm happy with my rehab assignment. I want to get back as soon as I can. Maybe one more start. I just want to help my team. I'm looking to finish strong."

Pineda was 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA before being included on the disabled list. He has 117 strikeouts and 15 walks allowed. His strikeout to walk ratio is second in the major leagues. He trails former Yankee and current Twins starter, Phil Hughes.

In his first seven starts during the season, he had a 2.27 ERA highlighted by a 16-strikeout game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 16. In his next 12 starts, his ERA ballooned to 4.77 and hitters are batting .294 against him.

According to the Trentonian, he will be returning to a Yankees team in the middle of a division title race. The team from the Bronx has a narrow lead over the surging Toronto Blue Jays.

The Yankees won their latest series in Toronto, taking two out of three, per ESPN. The Blue Jays had an 11-game winning streak snapped by the Yankees. Toronto has a 12-3 record in August.

The Blue Jays made a bang in the trade deadline by acquiring superstar shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado and 2013 AL Cy Young winner, David Price.

Also, another report from ESPN shows that these two AL East powerhouse teams will face each other six more times towards the end of the season. Winning the remaining six games will boost both teams chances in advancing through the post-season.

The Blue Jays are half a game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. They have the first spot in the AL Wildcard standings, three and a half games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles.

New York is looking for its first trip in the post-season in three years while Toronto has not been in the playoffs since they won the World Series in 1993. They have the current longest post-season drought in the majors.

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