Tanaka slated to throw bullpen session this week

NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka has been cleared to continue his throwing program after playing catch on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Tanaka, who was sent back to New York last weekend with what was termed general arm soreness, was examined by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and diagnosed to have "arm fatigue," according to manager Joe Girardi.

"Every manual test that they did came out really well," Girardi said. "They just said he had some arm fatigue. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen [session] sometime this week and hopefully he's ready to do it."

On the advice of four leading physicians, Tanaka is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery as he rehabs a partially torn right ulnar collateral ligament. He experienced soreness after throwing a 49-pitch simulated game last week in Detroit.