Yankees Tanaka Thinks He Would Benefit from Extra Rest

New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka says that he would benefit from an extra day of rest between starts according to beat writer Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

There is no arguing with the numbers. When Yankees number one starter Masahiro Tanaka has started on regular rest this season, opponents have hit .293/.329/.470 off of him and he’s posted an unsightly 5.33 ERA. Give him just one extra day between appearances, and the 27-year-old righty is a completely different pitcher.

With five days rest this season, Tanaka has an insane 1.05 ERA, and has held opposing batters to a .193/.212/.241 slash line. He has also pitched deeper into games when given his extra day off, throwing 51.1 innings in seven starts with five days rest, and 49 innings in eight starts with four.

There’s a very simple explanation for this disparity. Tanaka pitched the first seven seasons of his professional career in the Japanese Pacific League, where starting pitchers are only expected to pitch one day a week, keeping them much more rested than their American counterparts.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step
• Blue Jays overpaying for Yankees trade target shows they’re trying too hard
• Aaron Judge’s influence on Carlos Rodón shows he’s more powerful than Yankees
• Yankees sign 2022 Red Sox reliever, invite him to spring training
• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA

It’s no surprise that Tanaka’s dominant performance in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the Red Sox came after an extended breather during the All Star break. When asked by Brendan Kuty of NJ.com if he felt any differently starting with extra rest, Tanaka responded:

"“Possibly. I don’t want to talk for (other pitchers), but more rest means (I can) sort of get the inflammation out of the body. But the bottom line for me is to basically go out there and try to shut the opponent down regardless of the number of off days we have between starts.”"

The Yankees have toyed with a six-rotation in the past to give their starters extra rest. They have a number of pitchers who have struggled with injuries in recent years, and that could be the best way to ensure they stay on the mound.

Additionally, the Yankees have more quantity of starting pitching than quality. Three of their starters (Ivan Nova, Nathan Eovaldi, and Michael Pineda) have an ERA over five, CC Sabathia has come crashing back to earth after his excellent start to the season, and Tanaka clearly is at his best with an extra day of rest.

Next: Report: Yankees Scouting Nationals' Triple-A Squad

Luis Severino, Chad Green, and Luis Cessa could all be tried out in the sixth starter role down the stretch, giving the Yankees an opportunity to see what they have with some of their young pitchers for next season.