The Yankees were dealt another huge blow today when an MRI revealed a partially torn UCL on rookie of the year hopeful Masahiro Tanaka. Obviously this will put the Tanaka – who by all account has lived up to the hype – on the shelf for what doctors are initially saying could be six weeks. However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman hasn’t ruled out the dreaded Tommy John Surgery for Tanaka at a later date and time, which would most certainly keep him out for most if not all of 2015.
Tanaka was seen by 3 doctors, none of whom have recommended surgery now. Rehab would take 6 weeks. If it fails, TJ surgery possible.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 11, 2014
Obviously this is devastating news to the Yankees and their stretch hopes of making the postseason in Derek Jeter’s final season. The Tanaka news also comes in the wake of CC Sabathia being lost for the season remainder of the season with a knee issue. For the sake of comparison, Matt Harvey of the Mets suffered a UCL tear where of which he tried to rehab but eventually opted for TJ surgery with the hope of making a return in 2015.
Beyond the issues surrounding the staff and the loss of Sabathia and now Tanaka the Yankees have to ask themselves what they do from here on out. Currently they sit at 46-44 and 3.5 games back of Baltimore in the AL East. The Bombers are also 2.5 games back of the Mariners for the final Wild Card spot in the American League which isn’t a insurmountable number to deal with… it’s just the the talent they’d be replacing Tanaka with wouldn’t in no way shape or form come close to the numbers he was able to produce.
