Masahiro Tanaka may be the front-runner to be the Yankees Opening Day starter for a second year in a row but manager Joe Girardi is not ready to pencil him just yet.
Masahiro Tanaka is the Yankees’ Opening Day starter… or is he? Joe Girardi said that Tanaka needs to show him something tomorrow vs. PHI
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 28, 2016
Girardi wants to see Tanaka have a strong outing Tuesday in Clearwater when New York takes on the Philadelphia Phillies. Tanaka, who has been somewhat inconsistent this spring, has put his Opening Day start in question.
The right-hander has given up nine runs in 11.0 innings (7.36 ERA), including three home runs. However, he has struck out nearly a batter an inning (9 strikeouts in 11 innings). After having surgery over the summer, Tanaka has not seemed overly comfortable on the mound, proving that he may not be ready for Opening Day. Girardi acknowledged that by suggesting he may give Tanaka an extra spring training start, if necessary. However, if Tanaka goes out on Tuesday and pitches like everyone knows he can, well then the Yankees will have their opening day starter a week from Monday.
