The New York Yankees announced on Tuesday that starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka underwent surgery on his pitching elbow, but it wasn't as significant a procedure as many would think.
Tanaka had a bone spur removed from his right elbow, which is something he had been dealing with before he even came to the MLB, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
#Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka underwent surgery today to remove a bone spur from right elbow; expected to be ready for spring training.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 20, 2015
The right-hander finished the 2015 season 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 139 strikeouts in 24 starts (154 innings) less than a year after he was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in his pitching elbow. Tanaka received a number of professional medical opinions regarding the partial tear and a majority of the doctors suggested he rehab the injury rather than undergo Tommy John surgery and miss all of 2015.
His rehab was obviously successful, although he was sidelined for over a month earlier in the year due to a forearm strain and wrist tendinitis.
Nonetheless, he will be ready to pitch well before the Yankees depart to Florida for spring training in February.
The recovery for the bone spur surgery is expected to be six weeks of exercise and strengthening followed by a throwing program, according to Hoch.
Tanaka and the Yankees hope to rebound after their abrupt end to the 2015 season at the hands of the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Game. Tanaka did not pitch to the best of his abilities - he allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks over five innings - and the Yankees could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. They scattered just three hits and drew two walks against Dallas Keuchel and the Astros' bullpen.
Stay tuned for updates on Tanaka.
