Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka took the morning shift Friday, tossing 25 pitches in a bullpen session that represents his first step in proving he is ready to be the ace of the New York Yankees in 2016.
Tanaka, who shared the session with right-hander Ivan Nova, said Thursday when he arrived in Tampa for the start of spring training that his goal for the season includes pitching 200 innings.
In his first two seasons with the team, Tanaka totaled 290 1/3 innings and encountered arm issues both seasons.
Tanaka was dominant the first half of the 2014 season just after signing a $175 million contract before a torn right ulnar collateral ligament put him on the shelf for two months.
“The important part is to be healthy enough to pitch throughout the season,” Tanaka said.
Manager Joe Girardi said Thursday nothing has been decided about Opening Day, but Tanaka is the natural pick for that start if he’s deemed healthy enough.
“We’ll make sure that we put him in a situation where he’s ready to go pitch before he gets into a game. If it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer,” Girardi said.