Joel Pineiro’s strong rehab start moves him closer to return

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Joel Pineiro on Sunday took what is expected to be his final step before returning to the Angels’ rotation, allowing two earned runs and three hits in six innings of a rehabilitation start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Pineiro, sidelined since suffering a left rib-cage strain on July 28, struck out three and walked one to earn the victory in the Quakes’ California League playoff game against Lake Elsinore. The sinkerball specialist induced nine ground-ball outs.

Barring setback, Pineiro will be folded into the Angels rotation this weekend at Tampa Bay.

--Mike DiGiovanna