TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, quite possibly the Yankees’ top two starters, worked simulated games Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Tanaka, who is the favorite to be the Yankees’ Opening Day starter if healthy, struck out all three batters in his second inning. He used the signature split-fingered fastball to strike out Francisco Diaz that ended the activity.
After throwing 61 pitches on flat ground Monday, Tanaka went straight to a simulated game. Usually a pitcher’s spring-training program is to throw a bullpen, batting practice, then a simulated game. Tanaka skipped the BP leg.