Hiroki Kuroda Only Opening Day Starter Left

Jul 1, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(18) throws out Tampa Bay Rays right fielder

(not pictured) on a bunt attempt during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In the spirit of the Lebron James odyssey ending: not one, not two, not three, but four Yankees in the opening day starting rotation have landed on the disabled list for extended periods of time.

With the unfortunate news of a partial UCL tear for Masahiro Tanaka, Hiroki Kuroda has won Season 2014 of Survivor. However, this season has been freakish for pitchers across the league, with Ivan Nova among the multitude of other talented Major League arms going under the knife. Plus, C.C. Sabathia has knee troubles, and Michael Pineda aggravated his shoulder (he was not reaching for more pine tar).

All the injuries have fans and front offices pondering the cause of these injuries. As of now, there is no scientific correlation between certain behaviors and surgeries, other than overpitching and throwing breaking pitches. Could it be that these preventative exercises to protect the pitchers are counterproductive?

As of now, science has no answers. What we do know is that the injury bug has taken a major bite from the Yankees. It’s hard enough when many players land on the disabled list, but it’s even more difficult to replace quality starting pitching.

Hiroki Kuroda should stay healthy, however. Granted, he is 39 years old, but Kuroda knows what type of a pitcher he aims to be. Kuroda does not have a gunslinger of an arm, and he has started 30+ games in each of the last four seasons, so he knows how to keep himself fresh. Yesterday, he pitched a quality start, surrendering only three hits. But, as per the usual, the Yankees lost a close game 3-2. Hopefully the team doesn’t lose their last pitcher too.