New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka had been on the fast track as a candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year.

That was until he saw his season derailed by a partially torn ligament in his right elbow — a catastrophic blow in a major league career that began with such great fanfare.

Not only did the 26-year-old Tanaka, who won 13 games for the Yankees in 2014, fail to win Rookie of the Year, he wasn't even one of three named of the elite finalists on Tuesday.

Tanaka, the $155 million man whose notoriety soared when players got wind of his split-fingered fastball, matched a major league record with 16 consecutive quality starts out of the gate.

But the Japanese ace went on the disabled list in early July after complaining of pain in his elbow and spent more than two months away from the team.

After the tear was discovered in his ulnar collateral ligament, Tanaka was able to avoid the dreaded Tommy John surgery for the immediate future as he embarked on a rehab program instead. But he did not return until September and pitched in just two games at the end of the season.

Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts and was limited to 136⅓ innings.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, Yankees reliever Dellin Betances and Los Angeles Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker are the AL Rookie of the Year finalists.