After six weeks of being out, Masahiro Tanaka was back in action for the New York Yankees and had a stunning performance that will make one forget that the right-hander was recently sidelined because of an injury.

The 26-year old pitcher started and led his team to a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Tanaka was instrumental in the team's three-game series win. The right-handed pitcher threw 95 mph thrice and 96 mph once in the game and gave up only one run and three hits in seven innings. The former Rakuten Eagles was contented with the way he performed against the Mariners.

"That's the best so far this year," said the pitcher to the New York Post. "Looking at today, my fastball was really good."

The Japanese player had to take the backseat after their game against the Detroit Tigers last April 23, due to a tendinitis in his right wrist and a strain that affected the same forearm, leaving him unable to do what he does best.

In the previous season, Tanaka suffered a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The 26-year-old had to take a rest and rehabilitate his arm for fear that he might be advised to undergo a Tommy John surgery that would've put him on the sidelines for more than a year.

The Yankees lightened Tanaka's load and was careful not to put him on the starting line in spite of his presence during the team's spring training.

The rest seemed to have done well for the player as his velocity was far better than his fastest in April, which was 94.08 mph, reported NJ.com.

Even the Yankees manager Joe Girardi acknowledged the improvement.

"That's probably as good of stuff he's had all year," said Girardi. He noted that the change was probably because of the fact that the team is already well into the season that has pitchers amp up their velocity game usually.

Tanaka also seemed to think so.

"We are deeper in the season, maybe that has something to do with that," said the 26-year-old.

While Tanaka did well in the game, Girardi is careful not to strain the player and risk a possible surgery. While in a 5-2 lead, the manager called for Andrew Miller to come at the 11th.

Miller did not disappoint and was able to strike out Justin Ruggiano at the beginning of the inning, reported CBS Sports.