New York Yankees Rumors: Masahiro Tanaka Throws Bullpen Session


New York Yankees rumors revealed that Masahiro Tanaka threw a bullpen session on Tuesday (May 12). Tanaka is trying to return to the Yankees and shore up the starting rotation, but it has been slow-going in his return from the disabled list. A report from USA Today stated that he threw 30 pitches during the session and didn’t feel any real discomfort from the work. Tanaka spoke in-depth following the bullpen session.

Didn’t feel anything. But just want to see how I feel tomorrow and make sure I’m OK. … I don’t feel I need to go back to what I’ve been doing in spring training. When I was on the mound, I felt good on there so I shouldn’t be too far from me coming back. I’ve got to see how I do in my first rehab start. Probably get a feel for where I’m at once I throw that first start. Obviously I have to see how the coaches, manager, see how I do. It kind of all depends on that.

There hasn’t been a lot of information coming from the New York Yankees when it comes to rehab starts for Tanaka. While he expects to need at least one before returning to the Yankees, it’s certainly possible that he could need several minor league starts to get back to speed. The big test will be to see how Tanaka’s forearm and wrist feel on Wednesday (May 13). The Yankees have to hope that there isn’t anything more than normal soreness after finally getting back on the mound.

Masahiro Tanaka has made just four starts for the New York Yankees in the 2015 MLB season. He has pitched 22 1/3 innings, posting a 2-1 record, an ERA of 3.22, and a WHIP of 0.940. Those are very respectable numbers, showing that he certainly could bounce back to be the ace he was during the 2014 MLB season. That year was also hampered by injuries, but Tanaka was able to make 20 starts and post a 13-5 record, giving Yankees fans a glimpse of what he could do to opposing hitters.

As previously reported on the Inquisitr, the Yankees spent $155 million to make Tanaka “the” guy at the top of the rotation, and manager Joe Girardi could really use him again this season. A bit of great news for Girardi, is that Michael Pineda has had a spectacular start to his year. So far in the 2015 MLB season, Pineda has a 5-0 record and a 2.72 ERA over his first seven starts. It has helped the Yankees get back into first place in the American League East.

A small piece of good news for the New York Yankees is that, starting the MLB season with a 21-13 record, Girardi doesn’t need the team to rush Tanaka back to the mound. It allows the Yankees a lot of time to make sure everything is right with his arm again.

[Image Source: Jason Miller/Getty Image]

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