Biete/Tausche » . However, the problem persisted and less than

NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka took another positive step toward returning to help the New York Yankees make a run for a playoff berth, facing batters for the first time since he was sidelined six weeks ago with a partially torn right elbow ligament. Rickey Jackson Jersey . In front of several dozen reporters and photographers, the Japanese ace threw 35 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday morning and reported no problems with his elbow. His control is expected to come later. "I feel its a little bit still rusty, but there were some good balls that I was able to throw," Tanaka said through a translator. "I want to keep moving forward." Tanaka said he was cautious, thinking about his elbow with each toss, but it didnt prevent him from throwing all of his pitches, including his devastating splitter, while working against teammates Brendan Ryan and Zelous Wheeler. After watching the 25-year-old right-hander from behind the mound, pitching coach Larry Rothschild said he thought Tanaka was on the right track. He felt his arm strength was good -- about the same as it would be during spring training. "I thought it was a good progression, as long as hes healthy," Rothschild said. The Yankees will wait until Sunday before deciding on the next step. It depends on how Tanakas elbow responds a day later. The young ace got off to a blazing start after signing a $155 million, seven-year contract in January -- New York also paid $20 million to his Japanese team -- going 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 starts and earning an All-Star nod. But he was placed on the disabled list two days after a rough start July 8. The Yankees have fallen eight games back of Baltimore in the AL East and 3 1/2 games back of the second AL wild card and could use some help for a rotation that has been ravaged by injuries. Manager Joe Girardi said Tanaka will have to make some sort of rehab starts before he could return. "I was pleased. He felt good, and thats the most important thing," Girardi said. "Big thing is well see how he feels tomorrow then well make a decision. Morten Andersen Jersey . He just didnt expect them to be this good. Darrun Hilliard scored 19 points to lead No. 6 Villanova to a dominating 77-59 victory over Georgetown on Saturday, preserving the Wildcats hopes of a No. Willie Roaf Jersey . Johansen scored twice and Derek MacKenzie, Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson also had goals to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, ending a three-game losing skid. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Bobby-Hebert-Saints-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn.ANAHEIM – Short of swinging a bat himself, which at this point in his life is less than advisable, manager John Gibbons can only do so much to try to rest more offence out of his injury-depleted, slumping lineup. With Nolan Reimold, claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Sunday, playing right field at Angel Stadium on Monday night, Gibbons is piecing together a series of platoons that he can only hope will be as effective as the Brett Lawrie-Juan Francisco-Steve Tolleson experiment was in May. These arent long-term fixes either. Gibbons surely knows it. But Edwin Encarnacion (quadriceps strain) and Brett Lawrie (fractured right index finger) are on the disabled list and there are no fewer than six outfielders on the active 25-man roster. The skipper gets creative. "Until Jose (Bautista) goes back out to right well give Reimold the everyday at-bats out there," said manager John Gibbons. "Gillespie, hell platoon with (Adam Lind), see what he can do with lefties. Then, were going to start platooning Rasmus in centre a little bit with Mastroianni until he gets going." The Blue Jays scored four runs in four games in Oakland, all losses. The clubs calling card, the home run, all but dried up, with only Steve Tolleson going yard in the final inning of the final game, which closed the deficit to two in a 4-2 loss. Jose Bautista is playing with a sore hamstring and Adam Lind isnt back to full health after fouling a ball off his right foot last month in Baltimore. Theres been plenty of thought given to recalling catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Buffalo, though expect that to happen at some point soon. "Wed like to get him back," said Gibbons. New Orleans Saints Jerseys. "If we could put it all together where he fits; he could help us. He helped us while he was here. I think hed be a big addition." Reimolds been through the ringer with two neck fusion surgeries. The problem started, he believes, during a game in Chicago in April, 2012. He was playing leftfield for Baltimore when he went careening into the stands chasing down a fly ball. He somersaulted over the barricade. His neck snapped. He finished the game. Reimold woke up the next morning with a knot in his back. Later that day, at the ballpark, a trainer worked out the kink. However, the problem persisted and less than two weeks later, his season was over. He underwent spinal fusion surgery. The procedure didnt take and after appearing briefly for the Orioles in 2013, he was back under the knife for a corrective second surgery. Reimold hasnt played in the big leagues this season, having appeared in 17 games for Baltimores Double-A affiliate in Bowie, Maryland, as he worked his way back into game shape. "I think Ive got a lot left to give, even with these injuries," said Reimold, now 30. "I think that I never got the opportunity to reach my potential because I definitely got derailed with these injuries so those are all behind me, in the past, and Im just looking forward to the future and getting out on the field again." Reimold is a right-handed batter. In 1,056 career plate appearances, hes a .252/.327/.439 hitter with 41 home runs. Hell get a look in Toronto, beyond when Bautista returns to his normal spot in right field. "Well wait until it happens," said Gibbons. "We got him because we like him so theres a place for him somewhere." ' ' '