Masahiro Tanaka: (Hamstring) Will Start Wednesday

Tanaka hasn’t pitched in a game since September 18, when he suffered a Grade 1 (mild) right hamstring strain while breaking out of the batter’s box on a sacrifice bunt attempt against the Mets at Citi Field.

However, after taking a 10-day mini-vacation, Tanaka appears to be fully healthy, and will pitch with no restrictions come Wednesday.

“He felt good and went through all the things he went through and he has passed the hurdles”.

Tanaka (hamstring) will start Wednesday against the Red Sox, Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News reports.

Pitching Wednesday does not leave Tanaka with enough time to make another regular season start, but he will be lined up to start the wild card game on five days of rest, which has been the norm for Tanaka this season. New York will try to keep its slim American League East title hopes alive hosting Boston in the opener of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. “So, not (a) big surprise there but, yes, I’m relieved and happy to be out there”.

Last Monday, Tanaka threw on flat ground.

Had Tanaka not been ready by Thursday, his next start would have been in the postseason. Regardless, the Yankees have a chance to clinch a playoff spot as early as tonight, but the Yankees would need a little bit of help.

He said his arm has remained “fine” throughout the healing process. “So for us, we want to get him back out there and know that he’s capable of doing everything he needs to do”.

Tanaka returned June 3 in Seattle and since returning from his first injury, he is 10-6 with a 3.41 ERA in 19 starts.