Tanaka fired 3.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's 1-0 exhibition win over the Braves, striking out four while allowing one hit and issuing one walk.

EDGE Analysis

Dansby Swanson's out-out single in the top of the first was the only damage the Braves could muster against Tanaka, who has been untouchable this spring. Through three outings, Tanaka has allowed only two runs on three hits over 8.2 innings while posting a gaudy 11:0 K:BB. With James Paxton (back) set to open the season on the injured list, Tanaka looks primed to head into Opening Day as the Yankees' No. 2 starter behind ace Gerrit Cole.

Tanaka pitched three perfect innings against the Red Sox in a spring start Tuesday, striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Tanaka's second spring outing was an improvement over his two-inning, two-run performance in his debut last week. That's an encouraging sign for the Yankees, who will open the season without Luis Severino (elbow) and James Paxton (back). Tanaka will assume the role of No. 2 starter, at least until Paxton returns.

Tanaka has been refining his cutter under the tutelage of Andy Pettitte, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Statcast, Tanaka threw his cutter only 1.6 percent of the time last season. Adding the pitch to his arsenal more frequently could help balance an inevitable loss of velocity as the 31-year-old ages. In 2019, Tanaka registered career-low average speeds on both his slider and four-seamer.

Tanaka (elbow) reported to the Yankees' camp Monday and said he expects to have no restrictions during spring training, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. He rehabbed in Japan and was on approximately the same offseason throwing program as previous offseasons.

EDGE Analysis

In a way, Tanaka's offseason procedure can be viewed as a positive, especially if he was pitching through the bone chips in his elbow for a significant period of time. With James Paxton out to begin the season, there's more pressure on Tanaka to be at full capacity by Opening Day than there would be otherwise.

Tanaka (elbow) had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow but is expected to be ready for spring training, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Brian Cashman said Tanaka's elbow did not cause him any trouble during the postseason, but he underwent surgery after the Yankees' ALCS loss to remove the bone spur. While the surgery could limit Tanaka's offseason training, the 30-year-old is expected to be ready in time for spring training. In 32 games (31 starts) in 2019, the right-hander recorded a 4.45 ERA with a 149:40 K:BB.

Tanaka (1-1) took the loss in Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks with one strikeout against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

A three-run home run by George Springer in the third inning was the big hit against Tanaka, who was pitching on full rest due to Wednesday's rainout. Tanaka didn't generate a lot of swinging strikes Thursday, recording just the one strikeout after fanning 11 over his first two postseason starts. He would line up to start Game 7 if the Yankees can win the next two games.

Tanaka will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday's rainout means the Yankees can go back to their Game 1 starter on full rest for Game 4. Tanaka is a good bet to help the Yankees dig out of a 2-1 hole given that he's allowed just one run on four hits in 11 innings this postseason.

Tanaka has been named the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday against Houston, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tanaka looked sharp in his lone playoff start in Game 2 of the ALDS, fanning seven while allowing just one run over five solid innings against Minnesota. He'll have a chance to ensure the Yankees get off to a strong start in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Tanaka was named the starter for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Twins, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old was shaky over the second half of the season, but will be a part of a three-man rotation for the Yankees in the ALDS alongside James Paxton and Luis Severino, with CC Sabathia (rest) unavailable for the opening series. Tanaka carries a 6-4 record with a 5.26 ERA and a 59:15 K:BB since the All-Star break.

Tanaka (11-9) went three innings and gave up two runs on five hits and one walk along with two strikeouts as he got hit with the loss Sunday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Tanaka entered the game in the second inning after Chad Green opened the game in the first. The Yankees already had their spot in the playoffs locked up and so this game was used as more of a warmup for Tanaka so he wouldn't get rusty at all before his next start in the ALDS. Tanaka has had an up-and-down second half of the season but always possesses the capabilities to mow down opposing lineups. He is expected to be handed the ball in Game 3 of the divisional series against Minnesota, a team that the right-hander has yet to face this season.