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 Tanaka, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday, will
initially attempt non-surgical intervention that includes a
platelet-rich plasma injection before starting a throwing program.
On Friday, Tanaka released a statement on his injury:
"As recently announced from the team, I will be going through some
treatment and rehab on my injured elbow over the next several weeks.
I give everything I have every time I take the ball. With that, I
also know that there will always be a risk of injury when playing
this game that I love.
"Right now I feel that the most important thing for me is to keep my
head up, remain focused on the task at hand and devote all my energy
into healing the injury in order to come back strong.
"I want to apologize to the Yankees organization, my teammates and
our fans for not being able to help during this time. I accept this
injury as a challenge, but I promise to do everything I can to
overcome this setback and return to the mound as soon as possible."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that Tanaka
visited three doctors and each one confirmed a small ligament tear
in his ulnar collateral ligament. Cashman said Tanaka could return
in six weeks, but he did not rule out the possibility of Tommy John
surgery if the right-hander does not respond to a rehab program.
The 25-year-old Tanaka was off to a strong start in his first season
with the Yankees after signing a seven-year, $155 million contract
during the winter. He has a 12-4 record and 2.51 ERA with 135
strikeouts in 18 starts, but he was 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA in his last
four outings.
The Yankees acquired veteran left-hander Jeff Francis and cash
considerations from the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named
later.
Francis, 33, is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in 10 appearances (one start)
with Oakland this season.
Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto was arrested Wednesday night in
Grapevine, Texas, and charged with marijuana possession.
The 31-year-old Soto was released after posting $500 bail. The
charge is a misdemeanor because he had less than two ounces,
according to the Grapevine Police Department.
Soto suffered a left knee injury in March and has not played yet
this season for the Rangers.
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The St. Louis Cardinals claimed catcher George Kottaras off waivers
from the Cleveland Indians.
The Cardinals needed depth at catcher after losing Yadier Molina to
a torn thumb ligament. Molina is expected to be out eight to 12
weeks.
Kottaras, 31, owns a .216 career batting mark with 32 homers and 100
RBIs in 305 games between Boston (2008-09), Milwaukee (2010-12),
Oakland (2102), Kansas City (2013) and Cleveland (2014).
The Cardinals also activated right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly (left
hamstring) from the 60-day disabled list and optioned left-handed
pitcher Tyler Lyons to Triple-A Memphis. Left-hander Jaime Garcia
was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez on the
15-day disabled list with an ankle injury.
The 30-year-old Jimenez sprained his right ankle while working out
this week. He last pitched in a game a week ago against the Boston
Red Sox and was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the New York
Yankees.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips underwent surgery to
repair torn ligaments in his left thumb. Phillips was placed on the
15-day disabled list and is expected to miss six weeks.
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
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