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Yankees' Tanaka stymies Blue Jays in return from DL: 'I'm pretty satisfied with how I pitched'

Noah K. Murray / USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka provided a sober assessment of his performance after limiting the Toronto Blue Jays to one run over 5 1/3 innings Sunday, his first start since suffering a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in July.

"It's been a while since I've been back out there, but overall I'm pretty satisfied with how I pitched today," Tanaka told MLB.com through an interpreter. "I felt like I was able to do all the things I wanted to do on the mound."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi was encouraged by Tanaka's performance, but remains wary of foisting expectations upon the 25-year-old who opted for rest and rehab rather than Tommy John surgery.

"We got through today, so let's get through tomorrow," Girardi said. "Let's keep our fingers crossed."

Tanaka, who signed a seven-year, $155-million deal last winter, recorded four strikeouts while allowing five hits over 5 1/3 innings before leaving to a standing ovation.

"He looked like the same guy I saw earlier this season," Toronto slugger Jose Bautista said.

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