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Girardi concedes cutoff date for Tanaka to get wild-card tuneup

The starting pitcher for the Yankees in the wild-card game — and let’s assume that’s where they will reside after the regular season — is something everybody affiliated with the Yankees in any way, shape or even rooting form wants to discuss.

Well, almost everybody.

“I don’t think we’re there yet. I’m not ready to talk anything about that yet,” said Masahiro Tanaka, the preferred choice to get the starting assignment if his strained right hamstring is deemed sufficiently healed. “As for now, for me, I’m just happy with the way I’m progressing.”

Manager Joe Girardi also was unable to clarify the situation, noting the Yankees remain in wait-and-see mode with obvious caution around Tanaka.