Masahiro Tanaka is ready to return, give Yankees rotation a boost

The Yankees have covered for Masahiro Tanaka’s injury absence pretty well, but the Japanese hurler is ready to return to the Bronx.

Yankees fans are currently consumed with what pitcher their favorite team might acquire before the trade deadline, but the organization is focused on something else entirely. Mainly, Aaron Boone and company are excited to welcome Masahiro Tanaka back to the big league rotation.

Tanaka made a rehabilitation start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and pitched well enough to earn his way back to the Bronx. He gave up two runs in five innings of work, but more importantly he made it through the outing feeling good. His command and velocity both seemed to be right where they were before he missed a month due to two hamstring strains.

His return to the big leagues will reduce, but not eliminate the team’s need to acquire another starting pitcher ahead of the deadline. Presuming he comes back healthy, he gives the team three starters they can safely count on every time out. Luis Severino, CC Sabathia and Tanaka all have been reasonably consistent this season for Aaron Boone.

After that, things get pretty dicey. Sonny Gray has the talent to be a quality starter, but he may lack the mental fortitude necessary to succeed for the Yankees. His current 5.44 ERA is the worst of the starting staff. Expect the Yankees to give him every chance to pitch his way out of his current slump, but it’s difficult to envision him turning things around.

Next: Top 5 trade targets for the Yankees

Even if Gray gets things going, the team will be very hesitant to count on Domingo German to hold up as the fifth starter for the rest of the year. He’s shown flashes of real talent this season, but his lack of a third quality pitch really holds him back. In an ideal world, the Yankees will be able to send German back to the bullpen sooner, rather than later.

Despite those question marks, getting Tanaka back is still going to provide the team a massive boost. His return will allow every other member of the pitching staff to slide back into a more comfortable spot. In particular, his ability to assume a reasonable workload should take pressure off the bullpen to be perfect every time out.

Masahiro Tanaka’s return to the Yankees isn’t the sexy Yankees story of the day, but it may be the most important. His ability to have a productive second half of the season will go a long way towards determining whether or not his team can win the AL East.