Yankees' Tanaka relieved to get through spring healthy

The health of the UCL in Masahiro Tanaka's right elbow has been of the utmost importance to the New York Yankees this spring and both the 26-year-old and his employer are thankful to have survived spring training without any injuries. 

"I feel good that I was able to come through camp healthy right now," Tanaka told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. "I think I'm a bit relieved."

Tanaka looked sharp over four starts this month, managing a 3.07 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings, earning Opening Day honors for the first time in his career. 

His final start of the spring came Tuesday, in which he allowed three runs off seven hits in 4 1/3 innings to the Minnesota Twins. While Tanaka said he wasn't completely pleased with his outing, he is satisfied with where his velocity is at to start the season. 

"I'm pretty confident of where I am, how strong I am," Tanaka said. "I feel good going into the season."

Tanaka, who agreed to a seven-year, $155-million deal prior to last season, was well on his way to AL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year consideration in 2014 before being sidelined for almost three months after suffering a partial tear to the UCL in his throwing arm.