Yankees fall to Rays in bottom of ninth while Masahiro Tanaka nears return after ...
TAMPA - Masahiro Tanaka passed his latest test in his quest to return from an elbow injury. Is a major-league start up next?
The Yankees ace threw 65 pitches over five simulated innings at Steinbrenner Field, reporting no problems with his elbow. Tanaka was diagnosed with a slight year of his ulnar collateral ligament in July but is trying to return following a two-month rehab program rather than undergo Tommy John surgery.
'I feel good,' Tanaka said through an interpreter. 'As far as my performance goes, I think it's gradually getting better. It's not really a regular-season game atmosphere, so it's harder to get myself up there. But I do feel good.'
Tanaka allowed six hits and struck out four, facing a group of minor-leaguers from the team's instructional league. Manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild were on hand to watch Tanaka.
The Yankees hope to get Tanaka in at least one big-league game before the end of the season, looming to see if he will be able to pitch through the injury. Asked if he thinks he will pitch for the Yankees next weekend, Tanaka said it was too early to say.
'It's hard to say right now,' Tanaka said. 'We'll look and see how I feel tomorrow and I'll be talking with Joe and Larry.'
Tanaka said his fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph during the outing.
'For myself, I do feel that I'm getting closer to game ready,' he said.
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