The New York Yankees officially activated right-hander Masahiro Tanaka from the 15-day disabled list to start against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon.
It was Tanaka’s first start since April 23 because of right forearm strain and right wrist tendinitis.
“Obviously you want to dominate in a game, pitching on that mound,” Tanaka said through a translator prior to the game. “But there’s always going to be ups and downs if you look at it year by year. The important thing is to try to find what’s best from year to year, and make the most of it.”
The Yankees expect Tanaka to throw 80 to 85 pitches in the outing at Safeco Field in Seattle.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he hopes for Tanaka to throw 90 to 95 pitches in his next outing. Tanaka had a 4.50 ERA in two minor league rehab starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA last season, his first with the Yankees, but he was sidelined from July 9 to Sept. 20 with right elbow inflammation. This year, he went 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA before landing on the disabled list.
To clear a roster space for Tanaka, the Yankees designated right-hander David Carpenter for assignment. Carpenter posted an 0-1 record and 4.82 ERA in 22 games over 18 2/3 innings of relief.