Tanaka and Pineda look great in simulated game

Two keys to the Yankees’ success in 2016, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, both threw simulated games Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Tanaka struck out all three batters in his second inning and used his trademark splitter to put away Francisco Diaz to end the frame. This comes after Tanaka threw off flat ground on Monday. The normal process for a pitcher in Spring Training is to throw a bullpen, then toss batting practice, and then pitch in a simulated game; Tanaka bypassed the batting practice part of this regimen. Pineda pitched two innings of work and allowed a hit in each frame. “Tanaka and Michael looked good to me today,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. The Yanks’ skipper told the NY Post that he would get with pitching coach Larry Rothschild to see when they would throw again and that this would determine what their next steps are for the two hurlers. If Tanaka keeps progressing without any problems, he'll probably be the favorite to start the season opener, while Pineda could slot in as the number two starter. For the Yankees to be serious contenders for the AL East and beyond in 2016, it is imperative that both pitchers are healthy.