First-year New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will see a doctor on Monday and his injured right elbow appears to be making progress.

Yankees skipper Joe Girardi said Friday he had heard the 25-year-old right-hander was feeling much better and — barring no issues from his visit to the doctor on Monday — would proceed to the next step of his rehabilitation.

Tanaka suffered a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament on July 8. Instead of having the ligament reconstructed through Tommy John surgery, which would put him out of action for a year to 18 months, the team has opted for therapy.