Tanaka: I’m not gazing at Stars
TORONTO — Given the tight nature of the AL East, the Yankees have no plans to shuffle the rotation to accommodate a potential All-Star start for Masahiro Tanaka, whose stellar rookie season makes him the obvious frontrunner for the honor. And that is just fine with Tanaka. The righthander is lined up to face the Orioles on July 13 in the final Sunday night game before the break. In 2012, the rule making Sunday starters ineligible to participate in the All-Star Game, which is held two days later, was replaced in the collective bargaining agreement by a clause allowing those pitchers to decide whether they want to pitch in the Midsummer Classic, although they would not be allowed to throw more than one inning and could predetermine their pitch limit. “The importance of being in the All-Star Game is not so big right now,” Tanaka told the Daily News through his interpreter. “Anything can change due to weather, things like that can change the rotation around. That said, it’s not my say to tell somebody to move around so that I can pitch in the All-Star Game. I’m just going to see what happens.”
Tanaka leads the AL with 11 wins and an .846 winning percentage, ranking in the top three in ERA (2.11), strikeouts (119), WHIP (0.96) and complete games (two).
“If I’m fortunate enough to be selected as an AllStar, that would be enough for me,” Tanaka said. “Bottom line is I’m playing for the Yankees. Each year, I think there are players in that situation, so I wouldn’t be disappointed.”
Tanaka said he would still attend the festivities in Minneapolis even if he is unable to pitch.
CARLOS DANGER
Carlos Beltran experienced tightness in his right forearm while throwing over the weekend, halting his quest to return to the outfield. The forearm hasn’t bothered Beltran when he hits, so he’ll continue to serve as the full-time DH. . . . CC Sabathia threw 34 pitches during two simulated innings at the Yankees’ minor-league complex in Tampa, reporting no problems with his right knee. Sabathia is scheduled to start Saturday in a minor-league game in Tampa and throw 45 pitches, officially beginning his 30-day rehab assignment.