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Masahiro Tanaka close to return with Yankees

After rehabbing from a right forearm and wrist injury, it appears as if Masahiro Tanaka will be back in the big leagues very soon.

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Tanaka is set to make a flight to join the team out west as they begin a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics.Β Manager Joe Girardi stated that if Tanaka feels well when he arrives, the 26-year-old would start on Tuesday or Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Tanaka has not made a start for the Yankees since April 23, and was placed on the disabled list a few days later with what was diagnosed as a ‘mild’ right forearm strain and wrist tendonitis.

After only two rehab starts, Tanaka will also be on a pitch count for his first start back, as he will be limited to 80 pitches in the start. His last outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre was not his best outing, as the right-hander pitched three innings, giving up three runs on four hits (one including a homer by Jackie Bradley Jr.) while walking two and striking out four. Of the 62 pitches Tanaka threw in that start, 44 were strikes.

With the return of Tanaka, the Yankees will not go to a 6-man rotation. According to Sweeny Murti of Sportsradio 66 WFAN, no decision has yet been made as to who will be moved out of the rotation upon Tanaka’s return.