New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka said Wednesday he was honored to have been selected to start for the team on Opening Day for the third year in a row.
The Yankees announced the previous day that the 28-year-old Tanaka would start for the visiting Yankees in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 2.
Speaking after his first day at spring training, Tanaka said: "It's an honor. I know exactly where I will be pitching so I can work towards that day by improving my condition through spring training. This gives me something to aim for."