Tanaka takes center stage even in relief for Yankees
TAMPA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka allowed two hits and struck out three over two scoreless innings in his first spring outing for the New York Yankees.
The Japanese star came in after CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda each pitched two innings against Philadelphia. Some fans in the crowd of 10,934 at Steinbrenner Field stood when Tanaka went to the mound to a loud ovation.
“A buzz around the park,” Sabathia said.
Tanaka signed a $155 million, seven-year contract in January. He was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last year while leading Rakuten to its first Japan Series title.
Darin Ruf, the first batter Tanaka faced, swung and missed the righthander’s first two pitches before lining a single. After getting a pair of fly balls, Tanaka struck out Cesar Hernandez.
In the sixth, Tanaka fanned a swinging Ben Revere before Ronny Cedeno blooped a single. All-Star Domonic Brown went down swinging and pinch hitter Kelly Dugan flied out.
Tanaka is expected to make his first regularseason start in New York’s third or fourth game, with the former opening the door for the possibility of him making his regular- season debut against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
The Yankees said Saturday’s game was carried by three TV networks in Japan.
Tanaka, however, doubted that family or friends watched it live back home, where it was early in the morning.
“Probably not,” he said with a smile. “Because they’re all sleeping.”
Twins prospect Sano to miss 2014
Twins slugging prospect Miguel Sano will have Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm and miss the 2014 season.
The 20-year-old third baseman had been trying to rehabilitate a strained UCL in his right elbow. He was hurt in October while playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic.
Twins doctors, along with orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, recommended rest for Sano in early November.
Despite making strides during a two-month throwing program, Sano reported pain in his elbow after making an offbalance throw during an intrasquad game Thursday.
An MRI exam revealed a partially torn ligament.
The Twins expect Sano to resume hitting in about four months, and he should return to playing the field in eight months.
Sano hit a combined 35 home runs last season between Class A Fort Myers and Class AA New Britain while batting .280 with 103 RBIs. Sano hit 28 homers with 100 RBIs in 2012 at Class A.
Odds and ends
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is dealing with soreness in his right forearm and will be sidelined for at least a few days. … Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez reported to spring training Saturday after acquiring a work visa and leaving an unsettled situation in Venezuela. …
Jordan Lyles, who was traded by the Astros to Colorado with Brandon Barnes for Dexter Fowler, made his first start for the Rockies, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in two innings. He struck out one. … Former Astro Wandy Rodriguez, who missed most of last season due to persistent forearm pain, had a solid spring training debut while facing major league batters for the first time in nearly nine months, working one hitless inning for the Pirates. He missed most of last season due to persistent forearm pain.