Masahiro Tanaka Becomes First Yankees Rookie To Be Named AL Pitcher of the Month

May 31, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball announced a little while ago that New York Yankees’ rookie pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for May of 2014. Tanaka becomes the first Yankees’ rookie ever to be awarded the honor. He completed May with a record of 5-1, with a 1.88 ERA and 42 Ks. His lone defeat in May came at Wrigley Field in a second-time matchup against the Chicago Cubs. On the season, Tanaka is 8-1, with an ERA of 2.06, a 10.07 K/9 rate, and a eye-popping WHIP of 0.95. Tanaka will get a real test this weekend as he faces the best the American League has to offer in the visiting Oakland A’s.