Yankees' Michael Pineda placed on DL with forearm tightness

New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pinedahas been placed on the 15-day disabled listwith a right forearm flexor muscle strain, the team announced Thursday.

The injury could inspire Yankees GM Brian Cashman to act with more urgency to acquire another starter as the trade deadline approaches at 4 p.m. on Friday. The Yankees also could add more to their bullpen to try to protect their weakened rotation for now and the possibly the postseason.

The Yankees had interest in David Price, who was acquired by the Blue Jays on Thursday, but have been very protective of their prospects, especially outfielder Aaron Judge and pitcher Luis Severino.

Severino is 7-0 with a 1.91 ERA at Triple-A. He could replace Pineda in the rotation.

CC Sabathia will start Thursday night against the Rangers in place of Pineda. Sabathia was being given an extra day of rest, but instead will go with the normal four days between starts.

WFAN first reported the possibility that Pineda was hurt earlier Thursday.

Pineda, 26, is 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA this season. He previously missed two full seasons with shoulder issues. The Yankees have tried to limit his innings this year, even skipping him one turn through the rotation during the first half.

Pineda has thrown 118 innings so far. He had thrown more than 100 innings in a season only once before, when he pitched 171 innings in 2011 as a rookie with the Mariners. The following spring, he hurt his shoulder.

With Pineda out, the Yankees have Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Nathan Eovaldiand Ivan Nova as starters. Other options includeBryan Mitchell,a top pitching prospect besides Severino at Triple-A. The Yankees also have Adam Warren, who was 5-5 with a 3.59 ERA as a starter earlier in the season. Warren has been in the bullpen since the end of June, so he cannot pitch extended innings immediately.

The Yankees have been connected in trade talks to relievers Craig Kimbrel andAroldis Chapman. The idea if they were to acquire of those closers would be to team them with Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller to form a bullpen that could overcome starting deficiencies.