Yankees' Tanaka throws 'encouraging' bullpen session

New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka threw a 26-pitch bullpen session before Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a key step in his rehab from strains in both hamstrings.

Sunday's session followed a Saturday workout where Tanaka threw off flat ground for a third straight day and participated in drills with the team.

Tanaka has been on the disabled list since suffering the hamstring injuries while running the bases in a June 8 interleague game against the Mets. He scored the tying run on Aaron Judge's sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning and then departed the contest.

Tanaka is 7-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 13 starts this season.

"Went well," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Encouraging sign. It looks like he's doing well."

Boone plans to have Tanaka throw another session on Tuesday and said a simulated game would follow soon after.

--Field Level Media