Masahiro Tanaka Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Hamstring and Return

The New York Yankees pitching staff took a hit Sept. 20 when the team announced Masahiro Tanaka would miss a start with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain.

Thankfully for Yankees fans, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported Tanaka would have no restrictions during his start on Sept. 30 against the Boston Red Sox, which saw him give up four earned runs in five innings pitched. Regardless, Tanaka is the Yankees' ace and manager Joe Girardi announced Tanaka will start Tuesday's AL Wild Card game, per ESPN's Wallace Matthews. 

Tanaka missed more than one month from late April to early June because of a forearm strain. But his ERA sits at a solid 3.38, and he boasts an impressive 0.99 WHIP. 

His inconsistencies in the health department were compounded by the fact that CC Sabathia missed a large portion of 2015 with a knee injury. Michael Pineda also missed time, and Ivan Nova is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery last year. 

Nova has struggled throughout the year, including taking a loss as Tanaka's replacement on Sept. 23 against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed only one earned run, but his ERA still currently sits at a lofty 4.87.

The Yankees were able to stay in postseason contention despite all of the problems with their starting rotation. However, New York has been forced into the AL Wild Card Game after the Toronto Blue Jays clinched the AL East. 

Having Tanaka lined up to pitch a season-deciding game is something that will thrill the Yankees given the obvious worry after he picked up the injury.