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.

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.

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