Yankees GM: 'Not good' Tanaka is still feeling elbow injury 'at this stage'

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New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted Thursday that injured ace Masahiro Tanaka, who was diagnosed earlier this month with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, continues to feel discomfort in his right elbow.

"He's improved, but he still feels it," Cashman told ESPN Radio, via MLB.com. "On a daily basis, it decreases, so that's good. But it's not good that he's still feeling it at this stage. We just go day by day and week by week, and we'll adjust accordingly. Right now, it's too early to call."

Tanaka was placed on the disabled list July 9 and prescribed three weeks of rest, but the 25-year-old rookie has yet to see substantial improvement in his wonky elbow. Tanaka mentioned last week his doctors assured him that he does "not need surgery at this point."

"We've got to wait three weeks to see where he's at," manager Joe Girardi said. "Then we'll probably start to have him play catch and see if he's going to be a pitcher for us. You've got to let things heal. Things don't heal overnight."