New York Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka uncertain for Opening Day

New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, recovering from elbow surgery in October, is uncertain whether he will be ready for Opening Day.

Tanaka did light throwing and played long toss at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., on Friday as he continues his rehab. He said he is feeling healthy but could not pinpoint a timetable for his return.

"Can't really say. We'll take it day by day," Tanaka said through his translator. "I feel that I can't really talk about that at this point. I just want to see myself go into the bullpen, get the innings in and see how I feel."

Tanaka went 12-7 with a 3.57 ERA last season but was twice placed on the disabled list. He underwent surgery on Oct. 20 to remove a bone spur from the right elbow.

Tanaka hasn't yet thrown from a mound. His Friday session included throws from 60 feet and then moved on to long toss.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild was closely observing Tanaka.

"Just talking with him today and watching him, I think he's in a pretty good place for this early," Rothschild told reporters. "He went through his throwing program and had no problems. As long as there's no setbacks or anything, he'll be fine and ready to go."

Tanaka, 27, is looking forward to pitching pain-free this season. He suffered a partially torn elbow ligament in 2014 in his first season with the Yankees and then dealt with wrist and forearm injuries last season prior to the elbow issue.

"I didn't feel it overly when I was pitching, it was more so after pitching," Tanaka said. "Felt there was a little more inflammation in that area, and my thought process was, if we're able to take that bone spur off, then we might be able to get that inflammation (taken care of)."

Tanaka is 25-12 with a 3.16 ERA in 44 starts for the Yankees after coming over from Japan.

Yankees pitchers and catchers report for spring training on Thursday.