NEW YORK — As the Yankees clubhouse went through its usual machinations before Tuesday night's game, players did their normal milling about. Eric Chavez played with his son. Chris Stewart read a book. Curtis Granderson talked to a television reporter. Then, unexpectedly, the tall young kid strode into the room.

Michael Pineda — a stranger who became a part of the team only to be relegated to a stranger again — was a surprise appearance. The Yankees' premier offseason acquisition was in town to see doctors, to get a check-up on the injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Even though it's tough for the 23-year old to be around the clubhouse that should be his and not play, Pineda is already looking ahead to next year.

"I'm feeling better right now," Pineda said later, in the landing beneath the Yankees dugout. "I'm starting now, working, my exercise. I go to the physical therapy everyday."

But throwing right now?

"No, no throwing right now," Pineda quickly responded.

That though should come with time.

Since being diagnosed with a labrum tear in his right shoulder at the end of April which ended his first season in pinstripes before it even began, Pineda has been on a strict no-throwing diet. He underwent surgery soon after the diagnosis and has been spending much of his time rehabbing at the Yankees minor-league facility in Tampa, Fla.

It was thought at the time that Pineda might not be able to start throwing until the late fall-early winter period, but the tall right-hander indicated that timetable might have been moved up.

"Somebody told me, like, in the middle of September," Pineda said when asked when he might start being able to throw.

Pineda then gave a snapshot into his own goal for a return: 2013 Spring Training.

"I hope so," he said with a laugh. "Yeah, I want to be ready for Spring Training next year."

For now though, Pineda's daily routine is: Rehab, rehab, rehab.

In fact, after meeting with the media for a brief update on his progress since the surgery, Pineda was on his way to board a flight to head back down to Tampa.

"He's been here the last couple of days," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Just some check-ups with doctors. Everything's going great. It's good to see him not in a sling and walking around freely. He'll go back to Tampa and just continue his rehab. I'm not sure what exactly he's doing — it's such a long process."

He's been so immersed in getting his strength back, that even his manager doesn't know exactly what he's been up to.

"I don't (know)," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I haven't really asked."

Pineda said that he has been watching nearly every game and keeping a close eye on the team while he's been away from them. Seeing this recent 10-game winning streak has likely only served as a greater motivation to get back to full strength quicker.

Something which Pineda hopes comes sooner than later.

"It's hard," Pineda said of sitting out. "This is my first year (with the Yankees). I worked hard before the season, so this has been real hard. But this is my situation."

YANKEES (41-25; 1st AL East)

1. Derek Jeter//SS ... .317, 6 HR, 24 RBI

2. Curtis Granderson//CF ... .254, 21 HR, 40 RBI

3. Alex Rodriguez//DH ... .270, 10 HR, 31 RBI

4. Robinson Cano//2B ... .301, 13 HR, 32 RBI

5. Mark Teixeira//1B ... .252, 12 HR, 40 RBI

6. Raul Ibanez//LF ... .237, 10 HR, 32 RBI

7. Nick Swisher//RF ... .262, 10 HR, 40 RBI

8. Eric Chavez//3B ... .263, 3 HR, 8 RBI

9. Russell Martin//C ... .206, 8 HR, 21 RBI

P- Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.43 ERA, 81.1 IP, 56 K, 25 BB)

Notes: Swisher returns to the Yankee lineup after missing the last two games with a bone bruise on his left leg, suffered during a slide in Saturday's game. The right-fielder -- who is tied for the team lead in RBIs -- said he needed to make sure that it didn't bother him when he was batting right-handed on his plant at the plate. ... Those interested in bidding for MLB played-related experiences at the fund-raising charity auction, can still do so for the next two days. The auction is taking place at CharityBuzz.com and features numerous packages, including one with Swisher, where the outfielder will follow you on Twitter and re-Tweet you to his 1.5-plus million followers.

Atlanta Braves (35-32; 3rd NL East, 4.5 GB)

1. Michael Bourn//CF ... .316, 6 HR, 22 RBI

2. Martin Prado//1B ... .309, 4 HR, 26 RBI

3. Brian McCann//C ... .240, 9 HR, 31 RBI

4. Dan Uggla//2B ... .251, 11 HR, 41 RBI

5. Freddie Freeman//1B ... .250, 8 HR, 37 RBI

6. Chipper Jones//3B ... .278, 5 HR, 24 RBI

7. Jason Heyward//RF ... .252, 8 HR, 30 RBI

8. Andrelton Simmons//SS ... .333, 2 HR, 6 RBI

9. Eric Hinske//DH ... .205, 1 HR, 8 RBI

P- Tim Hudson (4-3, 3.90 ERA, 60 IP, 39 K, 15 BB)

Notes: Atlanta pitcher Brandon Beachy is the latest Braves hurler to suffer a significant injury. Beachy may be done for the season after it was discovered that he has a partial ligament tear in his elbow. The pitcher will see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday -- never a good sign. ... After Wednesday's game, it's a safe bet that the Braves will be happy to be rid of the Yankees. Atlanta is now 0-6 in its past six regular-season games with a whopping 5.60 ERA.

Weather: Another picture-perfect day for baseball, with temperatures in the mid-to-low-70s. ... It is a bit warmer than Monday's game, as the humidity level has increased significantly with Wednesday's 90-degree temperatures set to roll in. Humidity levels will be in the upper 70 to low 80 percent. ... Slight wind out of the south between 7-10 miles per hour. ... No rain expected. ... Sunset will be at 8:30 p.m.