Yankees’ Ace Masahiro Tanaka Throws First Bullpen Session

Yankees Ace Masahiro Tanaka tossed a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday afternoon, showing that he will be ready for the 2016 season.

As the Yankees begin pre-season workouts in Tampa, manager Joe Girardi said he does not know who will be on the mound for Opening Day against the Houston Astros on April 4th, but that Masahiro Tanaka would be the ideal choice if he’s ready to go.

The Japanese righty said his goal in 2016 is to pitch 2000 innings. In his first two seasons in New York, Tanaka has totaled 290 1/3 innings and experienced arm issues in both seasons.

“The important part is to be healthy enough to pitch throughout the season,” Tanaka said after his session, where he mixed fastballs and breaking balls. “I feel confident I can match that time (2014).”

In 2014, Tanaka was the dominant pitcher the Yankees signed to a $175 million contract but a partially torn UCL sidelined the rookie for two months. Before landing on the disabled list, Tanaka was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA but he started that season 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA.

“We’ll make sure that we put him in a situation where he’s ready to go pitch before he gets into a game. If it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer.” – Joe Girardi

He also dealt with an unrelated forearm strain in 2015 and missed some time.

Tanaka is currently rehabilitating from off season surgery that removed bone spurs from his right elbow, a surgery that leaves him optimistic.

“I think I was able to clear some stuff out,” Tanaka said. “My thing was, going into this season, wanted to be as healthy and effective as possible. So, that is why I elected to take the bone spur off.”

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Tanaka is confident that he could produce like he did in the first half of his rookie campaign, but regardless of the optimism,  the Yankees will watch him closely this spring.