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Yankees News: Andy Pettitte Impressed with Tanaka’s Bullpen Session

By Michael Cambria

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Though his second rehab start up in Pawtucket on Wednesday wasn’t as impressive as he liked, there was one man who was impressed with his bullpen session just two days earlier in Yankee stadium, and that man was my favorite Yankee pitcher of all time, Mr. Andrew Eugene Pettitte.

Prior to  Bernie Williams retirement ceremony, Andy Pettitte was on hand to witness 31 pitches from Tanaka, and the Yankee legend walked away impressed.

"“If I had half the stuff he had in his bullpen, it would have been a lot easier in my career,” Pettitte told Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News. “He looked really, really good.”"

Tanaka said he felt strong enough to return to the Yankees rotation, but his performance on Wednesday might hint otherwise. In three innings of work, the right-hander gave up three runs on four hits while fanning four and walking two on 62 pitches. He also gave up a home run in the bottom of the third to Jackie Bradley Jr.

"“Yeah, I feel pretty good about where I am right now,” Tanaka said through a translator after the bullpen session on Monday. “I feel pretty strong, so if that were the case I should be ready to go, but I’m basically going to go where the team wants me to go.”"

Tanaka, who’s been on the DL since April 7th is expected to toss another bullpen session on Friday. When asked if it’s hard to watch the Yankees struggle, the ace replied;

"“Yeah, I guess so, but the important thing is for me to come back strong enough to be able to go up on the mound and contribute to the team, so the No. 1 thing is for me to really get strong when I get back.”"

Time heals all Yankee fans. Time heals all.

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