MLB

Yankees’ Tanaka ready for ‘important’ start

TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka’s second game in pinstripes will be in a starting role after working relief in his debut and it’s something the right-hander is looking forward to.

Tanaka worked two scoreless innings in relief Saturday against the Phillies at home. Thursday he starts against the Phillies in Clearwater and will be guaranteed to face a higher quality of hitters from the start than he did Saturday after entering in the fifth inning.

“I think it’s important to face good batters in the States,’’ Tanaka said Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I need that experience.’’

Tanaka drew high praise for his two innings against the Phillies in which he allowed two hits, fanned three and didn’t issue a walk. Still, he is looking to be better Thursday.

“That is something that I am always aware of, how I pitch out there and is something I am always conscious of,’’ Tanaka said.

Manager Joe Girardi views Thursday’s outing as a measuring stick for the Yankees’ $175 million investment.

“I think it’s an opportunity to see what he feels like he needs to do to be successful over here. Had a ton of success in Japan and they want to be able to make adjustments just like anyone else,’’ Girardi said. “We always talk about players getting called up for first time, first time through and the league figures you out and he’s going to go through that, too, but I think he loves to compete and I think that’s why he wants to pitch in those kinds of situations.”


Derek Jeter was limited to 17 games last season and none after Sept. 7.

Asked if there was more rust to shed this spring than others, Jeter said he didn’t believe that was the case.

“No, just the normal stuff in the flow of things,’’ said Jeter, who is moving better than at any time last year and is looking for his first hit after nine at-bats.


Eduardo Nunez started at second base against the Rays Wednesday in Port Charlotte in a 5-4 loss as part of the plan to see if the natural shortstop can handle life on the other side of second base.

“We’ve got to move him around because he’s in competition for second and third so he’ll get moved around just like everybody else,’’ Girardi said. “He’s got to play the position. Defensively, [he] has to be able to handle a couple of different spots. He’s played mostly at shortstop but the situation we are in he has to move around.’’

Nunez went 3-for-3.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I prefer shortstop but I enjoy being in the big leagues. I’m not in position to say I want to play here or there,’’ Nunez said. “When they told me they wanted me to play other positions I did.

“Sometimes the game is a struggle. Playing for the New York Yankees can be a struggle.’’


In other game developments, starter Adam Warren allowed a run in 2 ¹/₃ innings and Dellin Betances turned in a solid outing for the third straight game.

Warren is in the thick of the fifth starter competition with David Phelps and Michael Pineda.

Betances, who was awarded an extra option during the offseason, worked 1 ²/₃ innings without allowing a run, hit or walk. He fanned two.

“Every time out I just try to be myself, throw strikes and prove I belong. I knew coming in there are opportunities and spots available so I need to keep trying to do what I need to do and stay within myself and not focus too far,” the Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn said.

“At first a little upset when I found out I had the extra option but the fact is if I didn’t come and do the job I would be somewhere else if that happened so I feel good now. My job is simple, come in and get guys out and win a job. I just want to be able to pitch as a big leaguer.’’


Mark Teixeira won’t be the only Yankee regular making his spring debut Thursday. Outfielder/DH Alfonso Soriano will play for the first time after finally shaking a stubborn flu that leveled him the day he reported to camp.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli fielded ground balls at third base during batting practice at GMS Wednesday.

“Killing time and just in case,’’ Cervelli said of the exercise.

Cervelli played second base once last year as a replacement and has appeared at third four times in his career.

— Additional reporting by Mike Vaccaro