Tanaka Placed on DL with Wrist, Forearm Issues

ESPN

The New Yankees rotation took a hit on Tuesday when general manager Brian Cashman announced that Masahiro Tanaka was heading to the 15-day disabled list.

The ace was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his right forearm and tendinitis in his wrist. Cashman said Tanaka will be shut down for 7-10 days and could miss a month of action, give or take.

While the injury complicates the first-place Yankees’ pitching staff going forward, the light at the end of the tunnel here is that nothing has changed with Tanaka’s ulnar collateral ligament or his elbow in general. Tanaka partially tore his UCL last season but opted not to undergo Tommy John surgery. Since them many have deemed the Japanese hurler’s elbow to be a ticking time bomb.

This latest injury, one that is separate from the elbow mind you, has people thinking the timer on that bomb is about to hit zero. However, people need to remember that Tanaka saw not one, but four Tommy John specialists when the partial tear occurred last year, including the renowned Dr. James Andrews. All certified medical practitioners, not one of them suggested Tanaka get the surgery. Until that happens, all other medical opinions regarding the matter do not carry much weight.

Obviously, the Yankees’ hope is that the opinions of those professionals do not change.

With Tanaka out, it looks like Chase Whitley, Tuesday night’s starter, has a spot in the rotation.