The rookie sensation from Japan was headed to Seattle later Wednesday to be examined by Dr. Christopher Ahmad, the team’s head physician. Ahmad is in Seattle for a conference.

Tanaka is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings, with three complete games in his first season in the major leagues after starring in Japan. He has almost singlehandedly kept the Yankees in the American League East race in a season where New York has lost Ivan Nova (Tommy John surgery), Michael Pineda (shoulder) and CC Sabathia (knee, visiting Dr. James Andrews next week) to the 60-day disabled list.

Tanaka has been worth 4.2 wins above replacement for the Yankees this season, carrying a rotation that has gotten decent work from Hiroki Kuroda (0.9 WAR), and admirable fill-in work from David Phelps (0.6), but next to nothing from Chase Whitley (0.0), Sabathia (minus-0.3 before he got hurt), Nova (minus-0.6 before he got hurt), and the since-traded Vidal Nuno (minus-0.4). Pineda was at 0.9 WAR over four starts before his injury.

The Yankees acquired Brandon McCarthy from the Diamondbacks on Sunday in exchange for Nuno. McCarthy, who was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA despite solid peripheral numbers, like his 93 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings, might be the de facto ace of his new staff if Tanaka’s medical issues prove serious, with Kuroda, Phelps, Shane Greene and either Whitley or someone from the minor leagues filling out the rotation.

Tanaka gave up a season-high five runs in 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday in Cleveland, as the Yankees lost, 5-3, to fall four games behind the Orioles in the East. New York is 3 1/2 games behind the Mariners for the second wild-card spot. In his previous start, Tanaka had given up four runs in seven innings to the Twins. His nine runs allowed in two starts this month match the total he allowed over 37 innings in five June starts.

About the only positive for New York is that the roster now includes both a Zelous (Wheeler) and a Zoilo (Almonte), as the latter, an outfielder, was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Tanaka’s spot on the roster.

RIVALS UNITED BY INJURY

Weird that Yadier Molina and Brandon Phillips both suffered sprained thumbs Wednesday.

Molina was hurt when his hand hit the ground as he was making a feet-first slide into third base.

Results of an MRI were not available after the game and manager Mike Matheny said the team would re-evaluate the injury on Thursday.

The Reds rely on Phillips’ defense in the middle infield. He is second in the National League, and fifth in the majors, with four defensive runs saved. His offense has been steady, if unspectacular (.265/.309/.390, seven home runs through Tuesday).

DODGERS PARTLY RESPONSIBLE IN STOW BEATING

A Giants fan who suffered brain damage in a beating at Dodger Stadium has won his negligence suit against the Dodgers, but former owner Frank McCourt has been absolved by the jury.

The jury found damages of about $18 million but said the Dodgers were responsible for only a quarter of the sum. The rest of the responsibility was split between the two men who beat fan Bryan Stow.

The jury delivered its verdict Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom after weeks of testimony about the assault after the opening day game in 2011 between the rival teams.

Stow’s lawyers claimed the team and its former owner failed to provide adequate security at the stadium. The defense countered that security was stronger than ever at an opening day contest and Stow was partially to blame because he was drunk.

FORMER MLB SS DIES

Former Tigers and Indians shortstop Tom Veryzer, who played in the big leagues for 12 years, died Thursday at 61, according to The Oakland Press.

Veryzer was drafted by the Tigers with the No. 11 overall pick in the 1971 MLB Draft and was the team’s starting shortstop from 1975 to 1977. Detroit traded him to the Indians that offseason to make room for Alan Trammell. He played for Cleveland until 1981 before ending his career with stints with the Mets (1982) and Cubs (1983-84).

He hit .241/.283/.294 with 14 homers in 996 MLB games.

Contributors: Jesse Spector, Justin McGuire, The Associated Press