Masahiro Tanaka will return to Yankees rotation against Mariners

Masahiro Tanaka

Sidelined since late April with a strain in his right forearm and tendonitis in his right wrist, Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka will return to the rotation Wednesday in Seattle, manager Joe Girardi told reporters.

Tanaka was comfortable in two minor league rehab starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but will be under close watch, including a pitch count of about 80, Girardi said Thursday.

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Tanaka, 26, owns a 3.22 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and a 24:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22 1/3 innings this season. He was pitching through a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, an injury he suffered last season.

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