advertisement

Tanaka throws 21 pitches in 1st bullpen session of year

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Masahiro Tanaka has thrown 21 pitches in his first bullpen session of the year at the New York Yankees' minor league complex.

The workout Thursday came one day before Yankees pitchers and catchers report for spring training.

Tanaka missed 2ˆ½ months last year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two late-September starts.

Neither Tanaka nor New York pitching coach Larry Rothschild spoke with reporters after the session. Tanaka smiled and waved while walking to a car.

Signed to a $155 million, seven-year contract, Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts.

NOTES: With the retirement of Derek Jeter (No. 2), outfielder Brett Gardner's No. 11 is the lowest Yankees' uniform number. ... Guest instructors include Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Hideki Matsui, Ron Guidry, Lee Mazzilli, Stump Merrill and Billy Connors.

New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, gets loose before throwing a bullpen session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, catches the baseball before throwing a bullpens session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, gets loose before throwing a bullpen session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, right, high fives a catcher after getting loose before throwing a bullpen session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, throws a bullpen session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild, left, claps after pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, right, threw a bullpen session during work outs at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, throws a bullpen session while working out at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, arrives for a workout at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, of Japan, arrives for a workout at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, left, arrives for a workout at the Yankees' minor league complex Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.