Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka is staying with the New York Yankees.
Tanaka released a statement through the Yankees on Friday that he will remain with the team for the remaining three years of his original contract.
"I have decided to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons," the Japanese pitcher said in the statement. "It was a simple decision for me as I have truly enjoyed the past four years playing for this organization and for the wonderful fans of New York.
"I'm excited to continue to be a part of this team, and I'm committed to our goal of bringing a World Series Championship back to the Steinbrenner family, the Yankees organization, and the great fans of New York."
Tanaka had until 11:59 p.m. Saturday to opt-out of the seven-year, $155 million contract that he signed with the Yankees in 2017. He will be paid $67 million over the next three seasons.
The 29-year-old Tanaka experienced an inconsistent season by going 13-12 with a 4.74 ERA in 30 starts. He gave up a career-high 35 homers, tied for third in the AL, but also ranked in the top 10 in strikeout per nine innings (9.79), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.73) and walks per nine innings (2.07).
The Japanese pitcher concluded the regular-season with a 15-strikeout display Sept. 29 against the Toronto Blue Jays and went 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA in three postseason games. He held opponents to a .145 average in those starts.
Since joining the Yankees following a dominant career with Japan's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, he is 52-38 with a 3.56 ERA. He sustained a partial tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament in July 2014 but opted against surgery.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge delivered once again with a home run that paved the way for a come-from-behind 6-4 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday, squaring their best-of-seven American League Championship Series at 2-2.
With the Yankees trailing 4-0 in the seventh inning, the 6-foot-7 slugger sent a towering solo home run more than 400 feet over centerfield.
That one mighty hit from Judge, who hit a three-run homer and made two outstanding catches in Monday's 8-1 win over the Astros, ignited a subdued Yankee Stadium crowd and seemed to give the team belief.
The 25-year-old delivered an encore by tying the game with a double in the eighth before the Yankees went on to take the victory and even the series.
"It's pretty surreal to be honest," Judge told reporters.
"I've been in that situation in my head a thousand times, game on the line, but the dream's not the same as reality, being out there with that crowd and that atmosphere."
The California native has taken New York by storm, breaking the Major League Baseball record for home runs in a season by a rookie (52).
His 33 homers at home also eclipsed Babe Ruth's record for home runs by a Yankee at Yankee Stadium.
Judge is favorite to win the league Rookie of the Year award, and is also rated by some experts as a contender for most valuable player honors.
"I felt Aaron's home run lit a little spark," New York manager Joe Girardi told reporters. "That was a huge at-bat by Aaron to get us in that situation.
"I'm caught up in it (the excitement) like everyone else, anticipating he's gong to do something great because we've seen it so many times this year.
"It was (a) special (atmosphere) again tonight. Every home game has been special. I feel the fans are back."
The series continues with Game 5 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, when Houston will send their number one starter Dallas Keuchel to the mound, while the Yankees will start Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
