Masahiro Tanaka took a big step in his recovery after pitching two innings for the Yankees against the Phillies on Sunday.
Tanaka, who was slowed down by injuries in his first two seasons in the major leagues, pitched two scoreless innings against the Eagles, where he allowed just two hits and a walk in 31 pitches. But is his performance enough for him to start on Opening Day?
Yankees manager Joe Girardi remains coy on his plans for their season opener against the Astros on April 4, but added that Tanaka is on pace to start for the team. However, Girardi added that it will all depend on how the Japanese pitcher will feel on Monday.
"He started Game 1 of the playoffs for us, so the idea is that he's our No. 1 starter," Girardi told reporters, via The New York Daily News. "But you've got to see how he does, where he is physically. But he's on course. He's on pace"
Yankees Ace Masahiro Tanaka Questionable For Season Opener
Tanaka agreed that they will know more about his condition on Monday, but the 27-year-old pitcher said that he was satisfied with his performance on Sunday.
"I'm pretty satisfied with how I pitched," Tanaka told reporters via ESPN. "I had some runners on base and I was missing my spots here and there. I think that was some of the not good parts of today. But I think as we go deeper into, get into more games, that should become better"
Tanaka, who signed a seven-year contract worth $155 million in 2014, started in just 24 games last season, where he went 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA. The Itami, Japan, native underwent elbow surgery to remove a bone spur, which was not related to the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament that slowed him down during his rookie season.
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