Masahiro Tanaka intensified his workout at a Thursday morning bullpen session in Tampa, Fla., and the New York Yankees liked what they saw from their right-handed ace.
Tanaka did not limit pitch selection and threw 40 pitches with pitching coach Larry Rothschild observing.
“I feel that I’m on the right track,” Tanaka said through an interpreter, adding that he was clear to throw split-finger fastballs, his most effective pitch in his 2014 rookie season. “Going through the workouts and going through the bullpen today also, it does give me confidence that I’m moving in the right direction.”
Tanaka said the only discomfort he has felt is considered normal after pitching workouts. He also threw a brief bullpen session Sunday.
“The arm speed was there. You could see he dialed it up today,” Rothschild said Thursday. “He’s progressed at a routine you’d like him to progress at. Everything was good.”
Rothschild said earlier this spring that the Yankees could try a six-man rotation, helping Tanaka and CC Sabathia, who is recovering from knee surgery, additional rest days.
“We do have the opportunity that if we need a sixth starter at times, we’ll probably run him out there,” Rothschild said Thursday. “If they can handle it and we’re comfortable with it, we may go with it. Otherwise, we’ll try to figure out how to get them through the first two months. It’s not just Masahiro; there are three or four guys in that group.”
Tanaka is on pace to be ready for Opening Day should manager Joe Girardi choose to give him the nod.