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Masahiro Tanaka throws to live hitters at Yankees Spring Training

By Gary Gurecki

Mar 2, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yankees starting Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw to batters for the first time this year, today.

The New York Yankees $155 Million man Masahiro Tanaka faced hitters for the first time this year Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.  Tanaka who only made two starts after July 8, 2014 following him partially tearing a ligament in his elbow last year. 

The 6’2” right hander threw only five pitches to Brett Gardner, Chris Young, Ramon Flores, Jonathan Galvez, and Tyler Austin.  Tanaka also threw two pitchouts.  Manager Girardi, his fellow coaches, and general manager Brian Cashman were all on hand to watch their presumed ace starting pitcher. 

Tanaka spoke to reporters following the session and said “For the first time, I think it went well” through an interpreter to MLB.com.  Tanaka continued, “I tried not to go too, too hard on the mound.  That’s what I was thinking.  The reason is, because it’s natural, once you get on the mound and you’re facing batters, you want to go hard.  In order for me to not do that too much, I thought in my mind to not go too hard”.

Tanaka also spoke on concerns others may have about his health:

"“My body’s perfectly fine.  I understand everybody’s worried about the elbow and I understand that too that I have to be cautious about it, as well, but so far it’s been good”."

Manager Girardi seemed to see Tanka’s pitching session as positive, “I thought he looked good.  He’e right where we want him to be”. 

Girardi also mentioned how he’s going to try and not stress over Tanaka’s health this season too much, “If I worry every pitch, it’s just going to drive me crazy.  It’s not worth it.  If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.  Hopefully he’ll get through the year and be really healthy”.

Tanaka finished last year with a 13-5 record with the Yankees and a 2.77 earned run average, while starting 20 games.   

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