He started sensationally at 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA in his first 14 appearances. But he slumped in his next four and hadn't pitched since scans discovered a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow. Rather than opt for Tommy John surgery, which would have sidelined him for about a year, Tanaka and the Yankees chose a rehabilitation strengthening protocol.
Tanaka (13-4) responded by allowing one run and five hits in 5 1-3 innings with four strikeouts, no walks and a hit batter. He had an exceptional curveball, and his splitter was dipping as sharply as it did during the first half of the season.
Tanaka (13-4) responded by allowing one run and five hits in 5 1-3 innings with four strikeouts, no walks and a hit batter. He had an exceptional curveball, and his splitter was dipping as sharply as it did during the first half of the season.
