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All-In on Tanaka, Yankees Can Only Hope His Elbow Holds Up

SEATTLE — After taking a month off to rest and recover from tightness in his right wrist, Masahiro Tanaka pronounced himself fit and ready, so the Yankees will saddle him up Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners and see how far they can ride him.

The question that has hovered around Tanaka since he arrived at spring training remains: How long will his right elbow, which was diagnosed with a slight ligament tear last July, hold up?

Tanaka, after consulting with what the Yankees said were four doctors, chose not to undergo surgery and decided on Plan B: Pitch until the elbow gives out.