BOSTON — New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda is mulling over what could be season-ending surgery after being diagnosed with a partial ligament tear in his pitching elbow.

General Manager Brian Cashman also said Friday that first baseman Greg Bird could require surgery for a right ankle issue that hasn’t responded to a cortisone shot.

Pineda was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday for the ulnar collateral ligament injury and Cashman said it was the recommendation of the team for him to undergo Tommy John surgery.

But Pineda’s intent is to get a second opinion before deciding whether to undergo surgery.

Bird, who has had a cortisone shot on the foot, may have a second shot or face surgery. Cashman said the surgery would mean a six- to eight-week recovery period.

Pineda first complained of an elbow issue following an appearance prior to the All-Star break. His last start was July 5 against Toronto. He lasted four innings in that game, giving up five runs and nine hits.

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Manager Joe Girardi said Pineda has experienced elbow soreness after pitching before, but this time was different.

“It was never something he was used to, but when it was sore the second day is when he became concerned,” Girardi said. “It was devastating for him. He understands what it’s like to work back from a serious injury. Now he’s got to do it again.”

The timing of the injury couldn’t be worse for the 28-year-old, who will become eligible for free agency for the first time following this season. He is 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 17 starts.

The team recalled Jordan Montgomery from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He started Friday night against Boston.

ATHLETICS: Pitcher Andrew Triggs underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Dr. Marc Philippon performed the surgery Thursday in Vail, Colorado.

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Triggs got off to a nice start, going 5-2 with a 2.12 ERA in his first eight starts, but his numbers declined severely in his last four starts (0-4, 9.64 ERA) before he was placed on the disabled list June 10.

The injury didn’t respond to treatment

NATIONALS: Washington put right-hander Joe Ross on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained elbow and revamped its bullpen.

Ross went 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his last four starts before the injury. He’s 5-3 overall with a 5.01 ERA in 13 starts.

The Nationals also called up relievers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott from Triple-A Syracuse. Left-hander Sammy Solis was optioned to Syracuse.

Adams, acquired from the Angels in the offseason, will make his major league debut. Gott makes his second appearance with the Nationals this year.

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Solis was reinstated July 1 after missing 65 games with a sore elbow and appeared in four games, giving up eight runs.

RANGERS: Tim Tebow isn’t the only former SEC quarterback trying to make it in baseball after a long layoff from the game.

Texas signed former Georgia quarterback Greyson Lambert to a minor league deal. Lambert played at Georgia the last two seasons after transferring from Virginia.

Lambert hasn’t played baseball since his freshman year at Wayne County High in Georgia. He’s working out at the club’s facility in Surprise, Arizona, making the transition to pitcher.

TIGERS: Right-hander Michael Fulmer said he’s heard his name mentioned in trade speculation on social media but isn’t concerned.

“I don’t think I’m going anywhere so I’m not really worried about it,” said Fulmer. “We’re trying to keep the whole team together right now, so we’ve got to start the second half off on a winning streak and just keep going up.”

Fulmer is 9-6 with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.115 WHIP in 17 starts. He has 84 strikeouts in 1152/3 innings.


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