Tanaka to start series opener against Mets

By foxsports
Published

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Masahiro Tanaka will start for the New York Yankees on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at the crosstown Mets.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced his rotation before Wednesday night's game at Tampa Bay.

Tanaka will start opposite Steven Matz. Saturday's game features the Yankees' Michael Pineda and Noah Syndergaard, and Sunday's finale has CC Sabathia going against Mets ace Matt Harveyl.

Girardi said Ivan Nova, who is 6-8 with a 5.11 ERA in 14 starts since returning from elbow ligament- replacement surgery, is moving to the bullpen. Girardi didn't completely rule out Nova making another start this season.