Toronto Blue Jays (78-76) at New York Yankees (79-75), 1:05 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - Avoiding elbow surgery -- and winning a game or two -- are a late-season priority for New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka.
Tanaka makes his first start since early July on Sunday when New York hosts the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.
Tanaka has been sidelined with a partial ligament tear in his right elbow. He's tentatively slated to pitch twice before the end of the 2014 season to see if he can sidestep having to undergo ligament-replacement surgery.
Having that operation would shelve him for the 2015 season.
"I think (I can avoid surgery), if I'm able to go out there and have a strong outing," Tanaka said. "I feel it would give some good confidence."
He's 2-0 with a 2.08 earned run average in two starts against the Blue Jays and won't throw more than 75 pitches.
"The big thing is that he gets out of this healthy for us, I mean that's the big thing," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And that he feels good about it and that he feels good about making another start. For me, that's the most important thing but it might give us a decent idea of what we're gonna have next year."
Tanaka won all five decision in his initial seven starts at Yankee Stadium this season, then lost two in a row before the injury.
New York is without outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who hurt his right hamstring in Friday's game and may not play in the final week of the season.
"Obviously we will give him a few days off and see where he's at," Girardi said. "It's not what you want but we have to deal with it."
The Blue Jays start Drew Hutchison, who faces the Yankees for the sixth time this season while seeking a third straight win.
He was 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA in the initial three meetings, but has won two straight with a 1.32 ERA since.
In an 8-2 loss at Baltimore on Tuesday, he allowed six runs in 6 1/3 innings.
New York's retiring star, Derek Jeter, is 6-for-14 in his career against Hutchison.
On Saturday, John Mayberry Jr.'s sacrifice fly capped a three-run sixth inning that carried the Blue Jays over New York, 6-3.
Danny Valencia knocked in two runs for the Blue Jays. Bautista went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, four runs scored and three walks.
Bautista has seven home runs in his last nine games against New York.
"I think it's a good performance that obviously helps in meaningful games in September," Bautista said.
Toronto starter Marcus Stroman (11-6) allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out seven over six innings. The right-hander is appealing a six-game suspension he was docked after an incident against Baltimore on Monday.
Jeter, Francisco Cervelli and Brian McCann each drove in a run for the Yankees.
Chris Capuano (2-4) gave up four runs on five hits with four walks over 5 2/3 innings.
The Yanks are 10-8 against the Jays this season.