Yankees GM Brian Cashman says Masahiro Tanaka feeling less pain
Tanaka, who is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA, went on the 15-day DL on July 9 with right elbow inflammation and a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament after experiencing pain during his last start on July 8 against the Indians.
Elsa/Getty ImagesMasahiro Tanaka’s elbow pain is decreasing every day.Masahiro Tanaka is starting to feel less pain in his elbow, although he’s still far from pitching.
General manager Brian Cashman said on ESPN Radio’s Michael Kay Show that the pain in Tanaka’s elbow decreases every day, but the pain is still prevalent.
“He’s improved, but he still feels it, although on a daily basis it decreases,” Cashman said on the show. “So that’s good, but it’s not good that he’s still feeling it at this stage. So it’s just day-by-day, week-by-week and we’ll adjust accordingly. It’s too early to call.”
Tanaka, who is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA, went on the 15-day DL on July 9 with right elbow inflammation and a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament after experiencing pain during his last start on July 8 against the Indians. The Yankees originally planned for their ace to return in six weeks, but now it appears it may be even longer.
Added Joe Girardi: “There won’t be really (any throwing) for three weeks, so two more weeks. He said he feels better. He did say he feels better, but I don’t think you really know how he’s doing until you get him on a mound and you start going forward.”
DELAYED MOVE
The rain delay at Yankee stadium was weird for everyone, whether it is the fans, players or media. But for Joakim Soria, the two hours was more than just a delay.
Soria, the Rangers’ closer, found out he had been traded to the Detroit Tigers during the rain delay.
“Yeah,” Soria said when asked if this was the strangest thing he’s ever been apart of. “It’s different.”
Soria had yet to make contact with the Tigers, but his night was likely just getting started.
IF AT FIRST . . .
With Kelly Johnson landing on the DL, Brian McCann will find himself playing first base once again. And he could be a mainstay there until Teixeira gets healthy.
APBrian McCann finds himself playing first base once again.Despite rarely playing the position — McCann doesn’t even have his own broken-in first base glove; he’s currently using Johnson’s — McCann doesn’t feel out of place.
“I feel comfortable over there,” McCann said. “I feel like I can make the routine plays and maybe get a pick once in a while.”
Added Girardi: “I mean he’s done a good job (playing first base). I think he understands the position.”
However, a learning curve still exists.
“Knowing where to be,” McCann said of the toughest part of playing first base. “I didn’t follow a trail runner last night. Just little things in the game that I’ve never really had to think about.”
Girardi, who doesn’t expect McCann to become a mainstay at first base, said there’s a possibility that newly acquired Chase Headley could see some time at first as well.
But McCann is prepared to stay there as long as Girardi asks and is currently working on breaking in his own first-base mitt.
PINEDA’S PITCH
Michael Pineda is making steady progress in his recovery from the right shoulder muscle injury he suffered on May 6. Girardi said he threw a batting practice on Sunday and will throw a simulated game on Thursday. . . . Girardi had no update on CC Sabathia, who underwent surgery on his right knee on Wednesday.
SD Yankee Report 