New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka struggled in his first start since suffering a hamstring injury last Sept. 18, per ESPN. He pitched for five innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing five hits, four runs and four earned, with a home run and a walk while striking out three.

"I think it was a good sign I was able to come out of this game strong. [The problems with the split] may have had something to do with the layoff. I think it'll be better next time." Tanaka said through a translator as quoted by Bleacher Report.

"It's kind of a different story if you have 12 days when your body is completely healthy. It was a little bit hard," the Japanese added, per Reuters.

His manager Joe Girardi is not concerned about his ace as he has not pitched for almost two weeks, saying, "He looked rusty to me. He looked like a guy who hadn't pitched in 12 days and hadn't pitched a lot." With all of the Yankees' starting pitchers having been on the disabled list this season, Tanaka has been the most consistent pitcher and he might be the only choice to start in the AL Wildcard game.

According to ESPN, New York clinched their first postseason appearance in three years in a 4-1 win against the Red Sox in their final game of a four-game series before ending the season at Camden Yards versus the Baltimore Orioles. They still don't have an opponent for the wildcard game, but it may be the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros or Minnesota Twins.

With the possibility of more rest for his hamstring, Tanaka is confident about the wildcard game. It is not the biggest game he had ever pitched as he once threw 160 pitches in a Game 6 of a series in Japan and then earned a save in Game 7. "I don't know if it would be the biggest game I've pitched. Absolutely, it'll be a big game," the 26-year-old telling reporters about his attitude towards big games, per Bleacher Report.

The report emphasized that the Japanese ace has the toughness that is lacking from rookie Luis Severino and a far safer choice to former Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who have regressed during the season with injuries and inconsistencies.

After avoiding a Tommy John surgery in the offseason, Tanaka has pitched well for his second season in the majors, getting praised by Girardi. "We've been very pleased with the way he's thrown the ball. I think he's had a very good second year," the manager said.

The second-year player will finish the season with a 12-7 record, with 3.51 ERA and 139 strikeouts, per Baseball-reference.com.