Masahiro Tanaka Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Elbow and Recovery

Masahiro Tanaka's elbow was a problem last season that has kept the New York Yankees on edge all offseason. The right-hander has reported to spring training in Florida and is poised to start an exhibition game on March 12 vs. Atlanta.

Continue for updates.

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Tanaka To Start Thursday vs. Braves

Sunday, March 8

Joe Girardi confirmed to YES Network that Tanaka will start for the Yankees on Thursday vs. the Braves.

On March 4, Marly Rivera of ESPN Deportes first reported on the plan to start Tanaka, saying, "Source says Tanaka will probably start against Braves 3/12 here at George M. Steinbrenner Field; remains to be confirmed."

Tanaka also spoke about closing in on a return to game action, telling Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, “Whenever they want me to go, I’ll be ready.”

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Tanaka, Rothschild Comments on Tanaka's Recovery

Friday, Feb. 20

Jack Curry of YES Network relayed Tanaka's thoughts on his elbow and recovery:

On Feb. 19, pitching coach Larry Rothschild stated the Yankees aren't going to rush him along, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, citing a report from The Associated Press:

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We'll bring him along as his arm will dictate. I'm not going to push it. As things crop up, if we need to deal with them we will. Right now, I'm just looking at him as a guy that we're going to bring along according to how his arm will allow us. I'm approaching it that he's a healthy pitcher that we just need to be aware of what the history is there.

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Kuty later reported Tanaka's bullpen session was a success:

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Tanaka threw 21 pitches off a mound, mixing fastballs and breaking balls. He didn't seem to be throwing at maximum effort, typical for this time of year. It was unclear if he threw his vaunted splitter. He also threw lightly before the session and ran afterward.

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Tanaka's right elbow is one of the key stories to watch this season. Last July, the Yankees right-hander was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. That's the ligament that requires Tommy John surgery when it goes. 

Bob Klapisch of The Record wrote in September that Tanaka's right elbow is basically a ticking time bomb. The good news is he had a full offseason to rehab the injury and seems ready to begin the 2015 season on a high note. 

The Yankees certainly need Tanaka to put together a strong second season if they want to have any hopes of making the postseason. The rest of the rotation also features injury-prone stars like Michael Pineda and the aging CC Sabathia, so the 26-year-old Tanaka is the most important arm of the bunch.