"He’s coming back" "Tanaka Time" - Yankees fans spark comeback rumors as Masahiro Tanaka gets spotted at the Nets game

Former New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is back in the spotlight, and fans can't keep quiet. The Japanese star was spotted at a recent Brooklyn Nets game with his wife, Mai Satoda.

This led many fans to speculate about the pitcher's potential return to the MLB.

Tanaka signed a blockbuster seven-year, $155 million deal with the Yankees in 2013. However, he decided to return to Japan after the end of the 2020 season.

"Tanaka Time," one fan said.

"He’s coming back," another fan quipped.

Here are a few other fan reactions:

Although fans want MLB teams, especially the New York Yankees, to sign him, it's highly unlikely that he will be playing next season, given his injury history and his age.

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Masahiro Tanaka's baseball career

Hailing from Hyōgo, Japan, Masahiro Tanaka has been a stellar pitcher in both the US and Japan. He made his professional debut with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2007 and immediately garnered the spotlight. He was voted the Pacific League's Most Valuable Rookie.

Moreover, he won the Japan Series in 2013 after picking up a decisive save in Game 7. He has won Pacific League MVP (2013), is an eight-time NPB All-Star (2007–2009, 2011–2013, 2021, 2023) and two-time Eiji Sawamura Award winner (2011, 2013).

Having signed a seven-year contract, Tanaka made his MLB debut on April 4, 2014, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He enjoyed decent success in MLB, having earned two All-Star selections in 2014 and 2019. He had an ERA of 3.74 with 78 wins, 46 losses, and 991 strikeouts.

Tanaka returned to Japan and signed a two-year, $8.6 million contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in January 2021. He re-signed on a one-year contract ahead of the 2023 season and posted a 7–11 record and 4.91 ERA with 81 strikeouts. He had a right elbow cleanup surgery in October and is currently in recovery which will take about four months.