New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka had a successful return to action against the Atlanta Braves in Grapefruit League play on Thursday.
Masahiro Tanaka pitches 2 perfect innings in spring training debut
Tanaka’s first start of 2015 was a rousing success.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tanaka notched a pair of strikeouts in two perfect innings, needing only 19 pitches to set down six Braves hitters, most of whom will be regulars once the season starts. Tanaka struck out Freddie Freeman and Jonny Gomes, the latter on a "devastating" splitter, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi. Indeed:
@mikeaxisa Tanaka's Splitter looked amazing: GIF - http://t.co/yiYYHNkwCw
— Pitcher List (@ThePitcherList) March 12, 2015
The second-year hurler’s fastball velocity was down a touch from his 2014 average, but he still received positive reviews from scouts:
AL scout said that #Tanaka looked very good: 89-91 mph fast ball; 86 mph slider; 74-75 mph curve ball; 82-86 mph splitter #Yankees
— Marly~ESPN Deportes (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 12, 2015
Tanaka made a pair of appearances at the end of last season after missing more than two months with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He and the Yankees opted for rest and rehabilitation over surgery, a decision that, while largely still up in the air, appears to be paying off.
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