Yankees News: Masahiro Tanaka looks sharp in simulated game

By Caleb Gebrewold | Mar 8, 2015

New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka is attempting to pitch the 2015 season with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. Tanaka suffered the injury last summer, and after seeking opinion from several doctors, the team decided it was best that Tanaka rehab the UCL, rather than have Tommy John surgery to replace it.

After missing about two and a half months, Tanaka was able to return in late September to give the Yankees two starts. Tanaka finished his rookie season at 13-5 with an ERA of 2.77 over 20 starts, but he was better than those final numbers indicate. In his first 14 starts, he was a Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidate, going 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 113 strikeouts.

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He was also pitching late into games, giving the Yankees bullpen rest. Tanaka was truly an ace, and was voted an All-Star as a rookie, yet he was unable to participate due to his injury. Had Tanaka not been injured, it is very possible that the Yankees would have made the postseason.

In Tanaka’s final six starts, his ERA was 4.91, as he went 2-4 and only struck out 28, so entering 2015, instead of being a sure-fire ace, he is one of the biggest question marks. Tanaka and the Yankees are well-aware that any pitch could be his last for a long time, so they are easing him back into action.

It is unknown when Tanaka will make his Spring Training debut, but on Saturday, he did pitch his first simulated game. Tanaka pitched two innings, throwing 23 of his 29 pitches for strikes. He faced nine batters, allowed only one hit (a single) and recorded a strike out.

After the simulated game, through his interpreter, Tanaka stated:

"Overall I thought it was really good. I think all of the pitched I threw today, I’m pretty satisfied with."

He also added that he’s ready to make his debut:

"Absolutely. Whenever, whenever they want me to go, I think I’m ready to go into a game."

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild added:

"We’ll see how he is tomorrow and the next couple days, and judge based on that. I think everything was where it should be. He’s had no problems. He’s using all his pitches. It was a good day of work."

If the Yankees are going to have any chance to be contenders in 2015, they will need a lot of things to go their way. Arguably the most important is that Tanaka pitches like the ace he was in the first half of the season. The Yankees season is riding on Tanaka’s elbow, as I do not see a way they can compete without their ace.

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