Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka made an impressive debut throwing his first batting practice session of New York Yankees' pre-season workouts on Friday, baffling most of the hitters he faced.
The 25-year-old right-hander signed a seven-year Major League Baseball contract worth $US155 million ($A173 million) with the Yankees last month after an unbeaten run last season in Japan, going 24-0 in leading the Rakuten Eagles to the Japan Series crown.
"I'm glad he's on our team," Yankees catcher Austin Romine said in a posting on the team's website. "I've never seen a ball move like that. It's special."
In his first training session with Yankees starting catcher Brian McCann, Tanaka faced four batters with only one ball being hit back in fair territory, a ground ball to second base.
"Absolutely as good as advertised," McCann said.
"You can tell he's got the stuff.
