New York Yankees to blame for Masahiro Tanaka getting hit

A frightening scene unfolded on Saturday when New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was hit in the head with a line drive.

On Saturday, the New York Yankees were set to get their first look at Masahiro Tanaka since spring training was shut down. He was to pitch a simulated game, working himself back into shape for Opening Day in less than three weeks.

Instead, Tanaka was on the end of a frightening moment. He was hit in the side of the head by a line drive hit by Giancarlo Stanton, immediately crumbling to the ground.

On the positive side, Tanaka is in relatively good shape. While he still needs to undergo testing, and presumably be checked for a concussion, he did walk off the mound under his own power. Tanaka is also responsive and alert, promising signs after that terrifying moment.

This is also a moment that could have been avoided. He did not have a protective screen set up in front of him, which could have lessened the odds of his being struck by a line drive. Yes, it is a simulated game, and one would want Tanaka to be potentially fielding a grounder or two hit back to the mound, but was the risk truly worth it?

With the benefit of hindsight, one can say that it was not. After all, a simulated game is just a glorified scrimmage, only with players working on different situations. It is a bit different than regular fielding drills, with more of a competitive aspect.

Yet, with the shortened season, there are some risks, no matter how small, that should not be taken. Tanaka is expected to slot in as the Yankees second starter, a dependable option in a rotation that has a fair number of question marks. The Yankees cannot afford to lose his services in the shortened season.

Right now, all signs are positive for Masahiro Tanaka after he was struck by a Giancarlo Stanton line drive. The New York Yankees have to hope that he escaped the worst and is relatively unscathed.