TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka made his first throws of the spring Saturday morning at Steinbrenner Field, but for all the questions about his fragile elbow, he hardly is alone in the Yankees’ rotation as 2016 approaches.
For one, there’s Michael Pineda.
The continually enigmatic right-hander is once again trying to fulfill the expectations the Yankees had for him when he arrived in a trade from Seattle for Jesus Montero.
“Every year I’m getting older and I need to work harder and harder,” Pineda said at the Yankees’ minor league complex.
Despite all his woes — both physical and pine-tar related — Pineda turned just 27 last month.
A year ago, he hoped to finally break the 200-inning plateau, but was derailed by a strained flexor muscle in his right forearm.
He seemed on the verge of some great things early last season.
On May 10, he improved to 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA after fanning 16 in seven innings against Baltimore, one start after shutting out Toronto for eight innings.
Instead of using those two outings as a springboard to finally realizing his potential, Pineda faltered again.
In his remaining 20 starts, he went 7-10 with a 5.04 ERA.
He has built a gym in his home, perhaps a sign he is going to take conditioning more seriously.
“I’m a young guy, but every year I’m getting older,” said Pineda, again stating 200 innings as a goal.
Not surprisingly, he also is enthused by the current state of the back of the Yankees’ bullpen and the addition of Aroldis Chapman.
“I’m happy with this guy in the bullpen,” Pineda said. “You pitch six or seven innings, you have a good chance to win game. It’s awesome.”