Masahiro Tanaka isn’t far off from returning to the Yankees’ rotation after pitching a three-inning simulated game at the team’s complex in Tampa on Friday.
The right-hander, who has been out for three weeks with strained hamstrings in both legs suffered when he was running the bases against the Mets at Citi Field, said in English that the session went “very good.”
“I was able to throw with force and use all my pitches,” Tanaka told the AP through an interpreter after the 48-pitch session. “I feel good about it.”
Tanaka added he was unsure of where he would pitch next, but manager Aaron Boone said it was “likely” Tanaka will pitch a minor league rehab game in the middle of next week and then return to the Yankees’ rotation on their final road trip before the All-Star break.