Masahiro Tanaka has exceeded almost all expectations in his first five major league starts.
Perhaps the only one not overly impressed is Tanaka himself.
Before the Yankees’ 10-5, 14-inning loss to the Rays on Friday, the right-hander said he’d pitched “so-so” since coming to the Yankees despite the fact he’s 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA and set a franchise record with 46 strikeouts in his first five outings.
“I’m not satisfied with how I’ve pitched,” Tanaka said through an interpreter. “I’ve given up runs, particularly early in the games. That kind of bothers me.”
He does have a point, as six of the 10 runs he has surrendered this season have come in the first two innings of games. But it has been his ability to recover from those rocky beginnings that has been among the facets of Tanaka’s game that have impressed Joe Girardi.
“I think probably the biggest thing about Tanaka is he’s going to find a way to get it done,” Girardi said. “No matter what his stuff is that day or no matter what he goes through early in the game, he’s going to find a way to stick around and give you a good chance to win.”
Tanaka will get another start Saturday against the Rays and it already has become apparent to many observers he’s the ace of the Yankees’ staff.
The 25-year-old disagrees.
“It’s something people around me are saying,” Tanaka said. “I don’t look at it that way at all. All I’m trying to do is get out there, game by game and beat the opponent.”
And he believes it’s too soon to start tossing around the ‘A’ word.
“I think it’s something that [happens when] you gain respect from your teammates,” Tanaka said. “That could lead to someone becoming an ace.”
Joel Hanrahan, who was scouted heavily by the Yankees in his comeback from Tommy John surgery a year ago, signed with the Tigers on Friday. According to a source, the Yankees were not close to signing the right-handed reliever.
Brendan Ryan (back) went 2-for-4 in a rehab game with Double-A Trenton Friday night.
Friday was Girardi’s 1000th game as Yankees manager.
“I only heard about it [Thursday],” Girardi said before the game.
Girardi became just the sixth manager in franchise history to last that long, and he wasn’t especially reflective about the occasion.
“It means I’ve been able to do what I love to do in a place I love to be for a long time,” Girardi said.