TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka has become a mere sideshow in the wake of Derek Jeter’s retirement announcement, but if the Yankees intend for Jeter to get to the postseason one last time, the new Japanese pitcher will have to deliver.
And after Tanaka threw his first bullpen session with the team Thursday, both Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild and Francisco Cervelli — who caught Tanaka — had the same reaction: “We’ll see.”
Cervelli, hardly a lock to make the Opening Day roster, was given the task of catching the 25-pitch session and said he liked what he saw — before adding it didn’t mean much.
“He only threw 25 pitches,” Cervelli said. “We have to see the whole spring training.’’
Tanaka threw fastballs and sliders, as well as the splitter that convinced Major League Baseball executives to wage an unprecedented bidding war over a 25-year-old who hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors.
Asked what he thought of the splitter, Cervelli said: “It was good. Today was windy and a little chilly. … In spring training, we’re going to see more of Tanaka.”
Rothschild said he didn’t want Tanaka throwing too many splitters because of the weather and Cervelli added Tanaka threw at only about 60 percent effort as the Yankees bring him along slowly in their attempt to ease his transition to pitching every five days instead of every seven.
Tanaka had several bullpen sessions in Japan after he signed with the Yankees and has remained on a throwing program.
Despite the fact Tanaka was prevented from going all out Thursday, Cervelli thought he saw some positive things.
“The fastball comes out so well,” said Cervelli, who will be fighting for a backup job this spring. “His mechanics are so smooth.”
That hardly means he’s ready to live up to the hype. Rothschild will do his best to make sure he does as he attempts to “retrain” Tanaka’s arm.
“I think the adjustments are going to be made, it’s just a question of how long it takes,” Rothschild said. “I’m trying right now to moderate his schedule according to what he’s done in the past because he’s stayed healthy throughout his career.”
Still, alterations will be made.
“We’ve got plenty of time,” Rothschild said. “He’s got to get into games and into the season and [see] just how he reacts to the different schedule. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s a process.”
That process will include not only a new schedule, but a different sized ball and different mounds. As long as Tanaka continues to be open to making changes, Rothschild is confident he will be fine.
“The mental part is the biggest thing,” Rothschild said. “If you’re willing to make adjustments, it’s a lot easier.”