CAUTIOUS TANAKA

(Aug. 18, 2016 - Source: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images North America)    

Masahiro Tanaka is being cautious... and the Yankees love it because it protects their investment.

The New York Post has the story and it's a good one that involves Tanaka and the WBC and Japan... and how he's not going to pitch in it. There are 3 main reasons according to the Post:

"1. The international tournament’s logistics make it tricky for a Japanese major leaguer to participate. Team Japan’s first game is March 7 in Tokyo. So Tanaka would have to report to Yankees spring training in mid-February and return to his home country less than a month later. Astros outfielder Nori Aoki is the only Japanese major leaguer committed to play for Team Japan.

Photo: Getty Images

2. Tanaka tore a ligament in the UCL in his right elbow in 2014, and since then, he and the Yankees have managed his right arm with great care. Ramping up early for the desired intensity of WBC action would not constitute great care.

3. This marks a potential walk year for Tanaka. As per the terms of the seven-year, $155 million contract he signed in January 2014, he can opt out of the deal following the 2017 season."

(Aug. 16, 2016 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

The one main one for me has always been #2.  But I guess I'm just overly worried because injury of the arm, especially as a pitcher is always worrisome and the Yankees don't have a lot of solid pitching in the starting rotation.  That being said, the Yankees and their doctors seem to have a grasp on the Tanaka arm.

Whatever the case, it's a nice nugget for you, right?

Carry on.