Free-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka signed a one-year contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles on Thursday after his market failed to materialize in the ice-cold MLB offseason. Tanaka enjoyed a successful seven-year stint with the Yankees, leaving the team with a solid 3.74 ERA and several strong playoff performances. With COVID-19 hopefully a non-issue in 2022, it wouldn't be shocking to see Tanaka return to the MLB after his deal in Japan, although the 32-year-old is most likely to ...

Free-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is reportedly advancing negotiations to return to Japan and play for his original team, the Rakuten Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. Tanaka could receive a formal offer from the Eagles this week. The Yankees additions of Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon in the last 10 days has made it unlikely that they'd re-sign the right-hander. The 32-year-old played in Japan from 2007-13 and signed a seven-year, $155 million deal with New York before the ...

The New York Yankees and free-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka remain in contact, but there's a good chance that he'll be pitching elsewhere in 2021 and beyond. There is strong interest from teams in Japan and the chance to earn a bigger deal in his native country. New York's one-year, $11 million deal with Corey Kluber also makes it unlikely that Tanaka will return to the Bronx. The Yankees are also finalizing a six-year, $90 million deal with second baseman DJ LeMahieu. The two deals ...

With the New York Yankees signing right-hander Corey Kluber to a one-year, $11 million deal on Friday, it could shut the door on the team re-signing starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. Luis Severino (elbow) is due back from Tommy John surgery in 2021 at some point, Domingo German will return from a suspension and the club has young arms in Deivi Garcia, Michael King and Clarke Schmidt ready for more opportunities. Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery and Kluber should fill the top three rotation spots. ...

The San Diego Padres are doing background work on free-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and other free agents, even after swinging big trades for starters Blake Snell and Yu Darvish this offseason. Tanaka stands out because of his connection to Darvish and pitching coach Larry Rothschild. Darvish is friends with Tanaka, and Rothschild was his pitching coach for most of his time with the Yankees. Tanaka went 75-43 with a 3.75 ERA and averaged 27 starts, 168 innings and 158 strikeouts per ...

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka struggled against the Rays on Wednesday, allowing five runs over only four innings of work. Tanakas slider was the lone bright spot in an otherwise lackluster performance as the pitch generated seven swinging-strikes (28 pitches) for a 25% swinging-strike rate, but Tanaka also left a slider hanging over the plate that Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena hit into the seats. Its only one start and the Rays hitters have terrorized New York pitching ...

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka allowed six runs over only four innings against the Indians on Wednesday. Tanakas final line was inflated by relief pitcher Chad Green allowing a pair of inherited runners to score, and Tanaka probably wasnt helped by a 33-minute mid-game rain delay, but Wednesdays performance was forgettable as he generated only six whiffs (7.8% swinging-strike rate) and allowed six hard-hit balls (43% hard-hit rate). Wednesday was Tanakas second consecutive ...

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will make his fourth career start at Progressive Field on Wednesday during Game 2 of the clubs wild-card series versus Cleveland. While Tuesdays result dictates if the Yankees season will be on the line, Tanaka will be eyeing his first win in Cleveland for his career, having posted a 5.06 ERA in three regular-season starts. The last time that the two sides faced off in the postseason, Tanaka tossed seven scoreless frames at Yankee Stadium in...

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka allowed five runs (three earned) over four innings against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. The New York defense committed three errors behind Tanaka on Wednesday, making the 31-year-olds start more difficult than it should have been. Tanakas performance under the hood was solid with a 14% swinging-strike rate (nine swinging-strikes on his slider) and five hard-hit balls allowed, and he finishes the regular season with a 3.56 ERA. Tanaka probably ...

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka held the Blue Jays to three runs over seven innings on Thursday, striking out five with zero walks. Thursday marked the first time all season that Tanaka lasted more than five innings in a start, and his pitch count topped 90 for his third consecutive game after he averaged 67 pitches per start over his first six starts this year. Tanakas next start will likely come against the same Blue Jays team in Buffalo, where his home run problem (3.7% ...