Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka expects dip in pitching velocity
New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka said he expects his pitching velocity to dip this season, according to a report from ESPN's Andrew Marchand.
Tanaka missed 10 weeks last season due to a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow but treated the injury with rehabilitation instead of undergoing surgery. He recovered to make two starts in September.
He earned a spot in the All-Star game and ended last season with a 2.77 ERA, 141 strikeouts and 21 walks.
Over 14 2/3 innings this spring, Tanaka has posted a 3.07 ERA with 13 strikeouts and one walk.
From ESPN.com:
"I'm going to try and establish a certain pitching style this year, so it is not the wisest to ask for velocity from me this year," Tanaka said through an interpreter on Saturday.
[...]
"I think, in terms of miles per hour go, it will be lower than last year," Tanaka said.
Last January the Yankees signed Tanaka to a $155 million contract and also paid a $20 million posting fee to his former club in Japan, the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Tanaka is scheduled to start in the Yankees' game against the Toronto Blue Jays on opening day.
