Masahiro Tanaka could be out for at least a month as the New York Yankees announced their ace pitcher is suffering from right wrist tendinitis and strained forearm.

Multiple reports confirmed the Yankees decided to put Tanaka on the disabled list as they are taking a cautious approach after the Japanese pitcher was limited to 20 starts last season due to an elbow injury.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi also admitted that there is concern within the organization about Tanaka's health. They are still unsure, though, if the recent setback has something to do with the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

"Is there concern? Of course there is," Girardi told The New York Times. "Any time you have to shut a pitcher down, there's concern. With what happened last year, I can't tell you if they're related or not. You're gonna think about a lot of different scenarios. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and hope it's not much."

Girardi, whose team is off to strong start this season as they are currently on top of the American League East standings with their 13-9 record, said he is still hoping that their worries will alleviate in the coming weeks.

"If it becomes lengthy, then yes, I'll be more concerned," Girardi said. "If he goes seven to 10 days and is able pick up a ball and throw the way he wants, then my concern is a lot less."

Tanaka, who signed a seven-year deal worth $155 million with the Yankees last year, struggled in his first two starts this season, but showed flashes of brilliance in the last two.

The 26-year-old blanked the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18 as he tallied eight strikeouts in seven innings and posted six strikeouts against just one run in their 2-1 win against the Detroit Tigers on April 23.

Tanaka was preparing to make his fifth start, but he complained of pain in the side of his wrist during a training session at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. He underwent MRI, which showed no serious damages both on his wrist and injured elbow, but the Yankees wanted to take a cautious approach.

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