Masahiro Tanaka's return to the New York Yankee rotation depended on a set-back free effort Monday and Tanaka passed the test despite having a subpar outing.

Tanaka was hit hard and didn’t look at his best according to scouts who watched the simulated game. Tanaka pitched five shutout innings, struck out four, walked none and surrendering six hits on 65 pitches. Tanaka spoke to The Journal News after the game and said he doesn’t know when he will return, but that he feels healthy.

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'Feels good,” he said. “I feel alright.

Although Tanaka sounded satisfied that he’s generally healthy, he seemed less sold on the idea that his stuff is ready to pitch well in a big league game. He said his fastball topped
out at 92 mph. Asked whether he would tell Joe Girardi that he’s ready to pitch for the Yankees this weekend, Tanaka was noncommittal.

'I don’t know,” he said. “It’s hard to say.”

Tanaka would be a very welcome addition to the Yankees rotation as the end of the season nears. The Yankees sit five games back of the final wildcard spot with 14 games to go and would need a top notch effort from their severly injured rotation to make a final push.

Tanaka was 12-4 with a 2.51 earned run average before being placed on the 60-day disabled list due to elbow soreness. Tanaka was originally feared to be lost for the season and in need of Tommy John surgery, but the rehab process that he began proved to be beneficial.

It was reported that if Monday’s simulated game went well that Tanaka could return for the Yankees this weekend. It is unknown if that is still the timetable.

[The Journal News]

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