SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees heads back to the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Righty Masahiro Tanaka refuted reports that he’s down to the Yankees and a return to Japan.
After weeks of acceptance that righty Masahiro Tanaka wouldn’t return to the Yankees, and the team would have to find innings-eaters elsewhere, a report that emerged just before the new year seemed to change the trajectory.