Tanaka activated to start today vs Blue Jays

Tanaka is throwing and doing his normal conditioning program in Japan. (Peter Power/CP)

NEW YORK — Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has been activated by the New York Yankees to start against Toronto following 2 1/2 months on the disabled list because of a partially torn elbow ligament.

Tanaka was to have a limit of 70-75 pitches against the Blue Jays on Sunday. The right-hander had not pitched in a big league game since July 9, hoping the ulnar collateral ligament would not need surgery.

New York agreed in January to pay the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Central League $20 million over 18 months for right to Tanaka, then gave the pitcher a $155 million, seven-year contract. He started 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA in his first 14 appearances and is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 starts.

To clear a roster spot, the Yankees designated Chaz Roe for assignment.

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