New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in New York. The Yankees won 5-0. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

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

Joe PantornoOct 20, 2015

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has suffered a right elbow injury.

Continue for updates.

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Tanaka Has a Bone Spur in Elbow Removed

Tuesday, Oct. 20

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Tanaka underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow Tuesday. The Yankees say the injury "was pre-existing, dating back to his pitching career in Japan," per Feinsand.

The Yankees are losing their ace for the second time since September, as Tanaka was shelved for a start after straining his hamstring against the New York Mets on Friday, Sept. 18.

Since seeing his rookie season cut short with an elbow injury, Tanaka has experienced a down year of sorts by his standards, going 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA compared to 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 2014. He had difficulties keeping the ball in the park, allowing 25 home runs.

Losing an ace is never a good thing, but the timing could be worse. With the Yankees already eliminated from the postseason, Tanaka will have time to recover and be ready for spring training. Feinsand noted the recovery time is only expected to be six weeks (before rehab), so Tanaka should be able to get back to 100 percent before next season.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.