NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka took a very small step toward returning to the New York Yankees rotation, playing a pain-free game of catch. Tanaka made 25 throws from 60 feet Monday, his first action since being sidelined in early July with a small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The rookie sensation from Japan was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA before landing on the disabled list. He is trying to avoid Tommy John surgery, which would sideline the 25-year-old All-Star for at least a year. "I think it all went well," Tanaka said through a translator. "I think I get to the next step, so Im very relieved about that." Manager Joe Girardi cautions that this is slow start in a long process, but was encouraged the throwing in the outfield went well. Tanaka will play catch again Tuesday and will increase the intensity as he goes along. Girardi said the real test will come when Tanaka gets on a mound and faces competition. "Its way too early to see," Girardi said. "Its positive that he didnt feel anything today, but its really light catch." Michael Pineda, another sidelined Yankees starter, appears much closer to a return from a right shoulder muscle injury. The right-hander threw 58 pitches in 3 1-3 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. A day later, he was happy with how his shoulder felt. Girardi said the Yankees would like for Pineda to make two more rehabilitation starts and increase his endurance to 90-100 pitches. But New York might have a heightened need for the big righty, who was hurt in a simulated game as he prepared to return from a suspension for being caught using pine tar to help his grip in late April. Fill-in starter David Phelps was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday before New York played the Detroit Tigers because of right elbow inflammation. The Yankees recalled Matt Daley from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill Phelps spot on the roster. 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McCutchen hit his first home run in over a month, doubled twice and scored two runs to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Sunday and take three of four from the defending NL West champions. Colorado Rockies Shirts . Its the second of three meetings between these teams this season. Vancouver was a 2-1 winner on home ice December 22nd. Wholesale Rockies Jerseys . Pistorius mindset when he stood on his stumps in a bathroom and pulled the trigger on his 9 mm pistol in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013 remains the crux of the South African trial that has captured worldwide attention and is about to start its seventh week of globally televised proceedings. It was initially scheduled to run for three weeks.Puma has announced a long-term partnership with Arsenal Football Club of the Barclays Premier League. The Athletics company will become the official kit partner of Arsenal effective July 1 of this year. 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