The New York Yankees started the 2014 MLB season with one of the best starting rotation, but ended up with nothing to boast as Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia both went down with major injuries.

Tanaka, who signed a seven-year deal worth $155 million with the Yankees last year, missed the majority of the season after sustaining a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

The Japanese star pitcher was supposed to undergo the dreaded Tommy John surgery, but opted to go for alternative treatments. And according to Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Tanaka is showing positive signs this offseason as he continues his rehabilitation.

"Until we know different, he's healthy," Rothschild told the NY Post when asked about Tanaka. "I've communicated with him. He's followed what we set up. So far, he's felt good."

Tanaka, who went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 20 starts for the Yankees in his rookie season, said earlier last month that he did not feel any pain when he participated in training sessions of the Rakuten Golden Eagles, his former team in Japan.

However, Rothschild is still unsure at this point how effective Tanaka will be in the upcoming season, especially after clearly being bothered by his right elbow in his last two starts for the Yankees.

"Even that last start, he didn't pitch well, but he didn't feel bad," Rothschild said of Tanaka, who was a strong candidate AL Rookie of the Year award before sustaining the elbow injury. "He had a good winter. He's been following the program throwing. I don't think he's overdone it throwing-wise, but he's pretty much on program."

On the other hand, Rothschild is not too sure about the condition of veteran pitcher Sabathia, who only started in eight games for the Yankees last season after suffering from a recurring knee injury.

Sabathia, who went 3-4 with a measly 5.28 ERA and 48 strikeouts in his eight starts for the Yankees, underwent knee surgery last year and Rothschild admitted that they do not know what to expect from the 34-year-old pitcher in the upcoming season.

"He's coming off the knee surgery and that seems to be good. Throwing-wise, the arm is good, so it's just hard to tell," Rothschild added. "I know he needs to pitch this spring. Even if it's simulated games, he needs to be on the mound as much as we can do without pushing him into any kind of trauma."

For the latest sports news, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter.

FOR MORE MLB UPDATES, TRADE AND FREE AGENCY NEWS, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE.

Related