Yankees’ Tanaka Pitches In Instructional League Game

Masahiro Tanaka, who has not pitched since July 8th due to a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, tossed five shutout innings in an Instructional League game on Monday.

According to The Lohud Yankees Blog, Tanaka felt good following his outing. “Feel good” he said “I feel alright”. The article also said that he topped out at 92 MPH with his fastball, which tends to be where he remains under normal circumstances.

The fact that he went five innings in a rehab start is impressive all by itself, but it wasn’t all that easy.

Tanaka seemed a little more apprehensive when asked about his immediate ability to pitch in a big league game.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to say” said the Yankees’ ace when asked about whether or not his next start would take place in a Major League ballpark.

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The only other sign that could possibly be seen as negative is that the Instructional League is filled with low level prospects, many of whom are still teenagers. The competition wasn’t exactly overwhelming.

Tanaka gave up six hits as well as several other hard-hit balls that managed to find their way into fielders’ gloves.

However, the most important thing for the Yankees to have seen was a lack of pain and it would appear, based on reports, that this expectation was met.

Yanks Go Yard will report any new information as soon as it becomes available. Stay tuned…