Yankees' Tanaka to start Opening Day over Sabathia

For the first time in six years, the New York Yankees will take the field for Opening Day without CC Sabathia on the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi confirmed Friday that right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will start April 6 when the Yankees open the regular season against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Bronx.

Sabathia, a six-time All-Star, has started every Opening Day for the Yankees since signing with the club prior to the 2009 campaign, but missed most of last season after undergoing knee surgery. The 34-year-old hasn't impressed with his performance this spring, either, managing an 11.57 ERA while yielding three home runs in two Grapefruit League starts.

Tanaka, meanwhile, has cruised through his three spring outings, helping to allay concerns over the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament that sidelined him for more than two months last season. As a rookie in 2014, Tanaka emerged as New York's best starter, crafting a 2.77 ERA with a 6.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 20 starts.

Related: Yankees' Tanaka: I'm fine with where my velocity is right now

Though Girardi didn't announce Friday who will occupy the final spot in New York's rotation, he did mention that Tanaka will be followed in the rotation by Michael Pineda, Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi.