BRADENTON, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka knows Saturday’s relief appearance against the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field is the first step in getting ready for a season with high expectations.
Nevertheless, for teammates, coaches and Yankees fans it will be their initial live look at a pitcher the team invested $175 million against another team.
“[It’s] a part of spring training,” said Tanaka, who will follow CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. “It’s not actually going into a regular-season game or anything. I’m looking forward to going out there and pitch.
“Obviously, I understand that some of the people are just going to look at the numbers of the game that I’m pitching in, but I’m not really too focused and worried about that.’’
Tanaka worked in the bullpen Wednesday in preparation for Saturday’s assignment.
“I feel that I was able to build up and come out strong. I feel that next step is for me to go in and pitch in a game,’’ Tanaka said.
Because the split-finger fastball has become a rare pitch among major league hurlers, there is a certain amount of mystery about it, and Tanaka has a filthy one.
“Yes. Obviously I’d like to check to see what the batters reaction is,’’ Tanaka said when asked if he was curious to see how the hitters reacted to his signature pitch. “By that, there might become a time where I need to tweak things around.”
Michael Pineda threw 35 pitches in a simulated game at GMS Field Wednesday but he said he hasn’t been told when he will pitch in a game.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Pineda will throw a bullpen session Friday and repeat a simulated game Sunday or Monday.
Jose Ramirez, a 24-year-old right-hander with a plus fastball, a tantalizing changeup and a chance to help the Yankees at some point this season, was supposed to pitch out of the bullpen but didn’t.
“His back locked up while he was warming up,’’ manager Joe Girardi said. “Obviously, they will take a look at it [Thursday].’’
Having already experienced Chipper Jones’ farewell tour through baseball, Brian McCann said he is looking forward to seeing Derek Jeter’s final lap.
“See one of the best players ever go out on top,” McCann said. “Same way he came in. It’s going to be an honor seeing it up close and personal.
“Two first-ballot Hall of Famers. I feel really lucky to be a part of both of them.’’
Eduardo Nunez was scheduled to start at shortstop and hit second Wednesday against the Pirates but was scratched when he arrived at GMS Field with a stomach virus that caused him to vomit. Yangervis Solarte filled in for Nunez, made a nice fielding play, went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs and committed a fielding error.
Alfonso Soriano worked out for the second straight day and is slowly moving toward getting into a game.
“We are giving him five days and this is Day 2,’’ Girardi said. “I think in Toronto.’’
That would be Sunday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
Soriano missed the first four days of full-squad workouts because of a violent virus that caused him to lose five pounds.
“I hit [Tuesday] and will hit [Wednesday],’’ Soriano said.
Soriano’s biceps appear bigger than a year ago and he credits a weight lifting program.
“After the season I wait two weeks and then worked out in the gym,’’ said the 38-year-old outfielder/DH who will be a free agent after the season. “Then on January 15, I start baseball workouts.’’
Jeter is going to be part of the Yankees’ roster that will travel to Panama in March to play two games against the Marlins and honor Mariano Rivera.
According to Girardi, left-handed reliever Francisco Rondon was a “little sore and may be down a little [while].”