Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka reported to the team’s training complex in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, eight days before pitchers and catchers have their first spring training workout.
Via the Associated Press:
Tanaka arrived Monday and is scheduled to throw off a mound Wednesday.
The right-hander was a concern at the start of spring training last year after arthroscopic surgery in October 2015 to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow. He went 14-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 31 starts. “Last year he had that procedure done, so he’s ahead of where he was last year,” Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. “He’s already been on the mound a little bit. Coming in he seems to be in a good place.” Tanaka can opt out of his $155 million, seven-year contract after this season, give up a $23 million annual salary from 2018-20 and become a free agent. He is 39-16 with a 3.12 ERA over 75 starts in three seasons with the Yankees. New York pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Feb. 14. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said the Yankees and Tanaka won’t talk contract extension before the end of the season.
“Hopefully he has a great year and he’ll have a decision to make,” Cashman said on Jan. 10. “If he doesn’t, then he won’t.”
Cashman added, “We made a significant investment and he was a Cy Young award candidate last season and we certainly hope he does again. But at this stage, we’ve had no discussions internally to pursue any type of extension.”
Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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