Aside from Cup pain, Tanaka ‘feels great’
Masahiro Tanaka was answering questions from reporters at his locker Monday, keeping an eye on the Japan vs. Belgium World Cup game when suddenly Belgium’s Nacer Chadli scored in the fourth minute of extra time to eliminate the Yankees right-hander’s home country.
“Oh,” Tanaka bemoaned, pulling his towel over his head. Asked how he felt, he replied, “I feel bad.”
While the World Cup loss may have brought Tanaka to an emotional low, he feels quite well physically. Tanaka, who is scheduled to make a rehab start in Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, confidently said in English he is ready to take the mound. “I feel great,” he said. “Yeah, I’m ready.” Tanaka, who was placed on the DL June 9 after straining both his hamstrings while running the bases at Citi Field, believes he could have even pitched in this week’s series against the Braves.
Manager Aaron Boone said starting Tanaka this week was a consideration. Tanaka is expected to rejoin the team early next week in Baltimore.
BOONE STICKS WITH BIRD
With the bases loaded and one out in the 10th inning, Boone decided to stick with the left-handed hitting Greg Bird against lefty Jesse Biddle despite Brandon Drury available off the bench.
Bird, who entered Monday hitting .105 against lefties, struck out on three pitches and the banged-up Austin Romine struck out the next at-bat to end the inning.
“Yeah it was close call,” Boone said about pinch-hitting Drury. “But with bases loaded situation there and it being tied, the walk comes into play and on base factor, which is why I stuck with Bird and his ability to get on. If we needed a hit maybe it’s a different play. Coupled with fact Drury is last guy on bench and we’re tied, (Romine) is beat up, obviously, so just being a little cautious with a couple things that happened during the game.”
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Miguel Andujar was named the AL Rookie of the Month in June after hitting seven home runs with 20 RBI, which included a slashline of .264/.302/.560.
He is the second Yankee to win the award this year, following Gleyber Torres’ Rookie of the Month campaign in May.
SANCHEZ UPDATE
Gary Sanchez continues to recover from his groin injury, but Boone said he could envision his starting catcher beginning rehab games the week of the All-Star break later this month.
ROSTER MOVE
Following a four-inning performance Monday, the Yankees optioned Jonathan Loaisiga to Triple-A Scranton and plan to activate RHP AJ Cole on Tuesday. Boone said they may call on Loaisiga to start one of the doubleheader games they have against the Orioles on July 9.