TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has gotten through his first mound session since October elbow surgery problem-free.
Tanaka reported no issues Sunday to Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild one day after a 20-pitch session at Steinbrenner Field. He had the arthroscopic procedure to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.
"He didn’t try to push it too much, but it was good," Rothschild said. "He wasn’t mid-season form, but he was where he should be. His arm worked well. Didn’t look like there were any problems. Today he felt good, which was more important."
The Yankees say the injury dates from when Tanaka pitched in Japan. He signed with New York before the 2014 season.
Rothschild says Tanaka could have another mound session in a couple days and will "just keep progressing from there."
Barring any setbacks, the Yankees expect the right-hander to be ready for his first scheduled regular-season start.
Tanaka was diagnosed with a partially torn elbow ligament in 2014, when he went 13-5 in 20 starts. He was 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 starts last year and lost to Houston in the AL wild-card game.
Tanaka was on the disabled list last season with right wrist tendinitis and a forearm strain and missed a September start because of a strained right hamstring.
New York pitchers and catchers will report for spring training Thursday.
