Major League Baseball

Tanaka has work visa, could depart for US as early as Sunday

Published Feb. 6, 2014 5:28 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

TOKYO -- Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has obtained a work visa and could depart for the United States as early as Sunday.

Tanaka, who signed a $155 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees last month, obtained his visa on Tuesday and is preparing to leave for spring training which starts of Feb. 15, a member of Tanaka's support staff said on Thursday.

Tanaka, who has been working out in Sendai, said "I am in better shape at this point compared to previous years."

The 25-year-old right-hander replaces the retired Andy Pettitte in the rotation and joins C.C. Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball