Yankees star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has been out of action since July 8 with a partially torn UCL in his pitching elbow, while Cincinnati Reds All-Star first baseman Joey Votto has missed a majority of the year due to a number of injuries. What are their statuses moving forward?
Tanaka has been involved in a throwing program to rehab his partially torn UCL. After receiving multiple opinions, Tanaka opted to rehab the injury because the doctors said there was a chance it could heal without the right-hander having to undergo Tommy John surgery. Tanaka's throwing sessions thus far have gone well, and the 25-year-old is confident that his elbow will hold up and allow him to pitch for the Yankees again this season.
On August 13 Tanaka threw ten fastballs off of the outfield ground at Camden Yards before the team faced the Baltimore Orioles, which was the first step before he began throwing bullpen sessions, batting practice, simulated games, and then rehab assignments. The right-hander then threw 35 pitches last Wednesday during a bullpen session before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was able to throw his fastball, curveball, slider and split finger without any discomfort in his elbow. It was reported that no more MRIs would be planned for Tanaka after the successful throwing session.
On Thursday, Tanaka reportedly threw 49 pitches in a simulated game and reported no pain. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tanaka did not hold back when throwing any of his pitches, but Tanaka said he's still having an issue hitting his spots. He's expected to make at least two more simulated starts before rejoining the rotation in September. His return would be crucial for the Yankees' playoff hopes.
In Cincinnati, such news hasn't been so great for first baseman Joey Votto. The four-time All-Star has played in only 62 games this year after playing every single game in 2013. Earlier this year, Votto was placed on the 60-day disabled list and won't be eligible to return until September 4, but it's unlikely that he makes his return to the Reds by then because the rehab process for his left distal quad strain isn't going as quickly as the team hoped.
He began strengthening, jogging and running drills within the past week, but the progression isn't enough for his full-time return to an MLB lineup. He took ground balls on Wednesday, which was the first baseball activity he has engaged in since going on the DL, but the team won't be able to assign him to any minor-league rehab games because the season ends on September 1. Right now, it looks as if Votto will remain out for the remainder of the season because there might not be any use trying to rush him back to live action.
