New York Yankees Injury News 2016: Masahiro Tanaka Has Productive Mound Session
New York Yankees' ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will finally get to see action in the upcoming season after showing he has made full recovery of the shoulder injury he suffered back in October. The Japanese star went on to finish his first-ever mound since last year with no issues at all.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild could never been happier with the progress of Tanaka, who showed his team his old form with a 20-pitch session. Although it's not really that of a big deal, it is remarkable to know that the right-hander did undergo arthroscopic surgery to fix his right elbow. "He is not in midseason form but he was where he should be," Rotshschild said. "It didn't look like there were any problems… today he felt good, which was more important," he added, referring to the fact that though the pitcher didn't push it hard, he looked comfortable out there.
Doctors diagnosed Tanaka with a partially torn elbow ligament about two years ago, in a season where he was playing great, compiling a record of 13-5 in 20 starts. He followed that up with a 12-7 and 3.51 ERA last season while starting in 24 games, though the Yankees exited the postseason early, losing to the Houston Astros in the AL wild card game. He's no stranger to injuries, having stayed on the disabled list last year due to a couple of issues, including a forearm strain, strained right hamstring, and a right wrist tendonitis.
As the team begins spring training, the coaching staff understands that Tanaka will be lagging behind the other starting pitchers, but that's a given considering that he will need to be in a more suitable condition to be able to keep up.
There is still no official word if he will be available (and healthy) by April 4, as New York makes its regular season opener against Houston.
