MINNEAPOLIS -- New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has only pitched on normal rest once this year. After a frigid April 23 start in Detroit, Tanaka went on the disabled list with an injured wrist and forearm. The Yankees want to do everything in their power to keep him healthy and strong.
With this in mind, the Yankees will push Tanaka's next start to Wednesday in Texas instead of Tuesday, even though the Yankees don't really have any idea who will start Tuesday. It also means that Tanaka's ensuing start will occur with an extra day of rest against the Red Sox on Aug. 4 in the Bronx. The Yankees have day off Aug. 3.
"He has not thrown on five days' [rest since he returned June 3], so we are looking at that, too," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "I can't tell you moving forward how many times we will do it, but it will always be a consideration.
"He's pitched pretty well on that extra day of rest. We just feel he is probably more comfortable doing that. We want to protect him, protect Michael [Pineda], CC [Sabathia] and we want to protect everyone in this situation."
By virtue of the move, Pineda and Sabathia will also receive an extra day of rest on their next turn up.
As for Tuesday, the Yankees don't know who will start. It won't be Luis Severino or Bryan Mitchell, as they pitched the last two nights for Triple-A Scranton, making them unavailable Tuesday. Girardi said he could possibly have pitchers throw three innings each, with Adam Warren and Chris Capuano in the mix.
Goody Call-Up: The Yankees called up right-handed pitcher Nick Goody to replace Branden Pinder, who was optioned to Triple-A. Gregorio Petit was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Goody, 24, was 1-2 with a 1.68 ERA at Double-A and Triple-A. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 out of LSU. He grew up in Orlando, Florida.
