LAKELAND, Fla. -- Masahiro Tanaka continued his superb spring with 4 1/3 hitless innings against the Tigers on Friday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, running his Grapefruit League total to 13 1/3 scoreless frames.
The Yankees' ace walked his first two batters of the spring while striking out six, and he has now tallied 19 strikeouts and permitted just three hits as he prepares to make his third straight Opening Day start on April 2 against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
In all, it has been a stress-free exhibition slate for Tanaka, who set career highs in wins (14), innings (199 2/3), starts (31) and strikeouts (165) last season.