MLB Notes: Yankees Masahiro Tanaka placed on DL

The New York Yankees’ battered rotation may have suffered the most crucial loss of all.

Rookie sensation Masahiro Tanaka, who leads the majors with 12 wins, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to right elbow inflammation. He had an MRI in New York on Tuesday.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi admitted he’s concerned about Tanaka’s prognosis.

“You’re always worried when you have a guy go back for an elbow MRI,” he said. “It would be a big loss. Anytime you lose a starting pitcher, they’re hard to replace. And what he’s done for us, the innings and the wins and the quality of starts, it’s hard to replace.”

The Yankees have also lost pitchers CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova to injuries.Tanaka began the season 11-1 with a 1.99 ERA, but hasn’t been as effective in his past four starts, going 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA.

Girardi didn’t notice any sign that something was bothering Tanaka during the game.

“There wasn’t anything that led us to believe there was anything wrong,” he said. “He told the trainers that he just felt some soreness so we felt it was best to send him back and have an MRI. It’s the first time he’s complained (of it).”

Tanaka has anchored a shaky Yankees rotation. Sabathia may need season-ending knee surgery, and Nova had Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch again until next season.

Tanaka was scheduled to start Sunday against Baltimore, the final game before the All-Star break. Girardi said no decision has been made on who will take Tanaka’s spot. Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara will replace Tanaka on the AL roster for the All-Star Game.

Pirates’ Liriano set for return to rotation

Pittsburgh has placed outfielder Starling Marte on the bereavement list and slotted Francisco Liriano’s return to the rotation for Sunday, the last game before the All-Star break. Liriano has been sidelined since June 11 with a left oblique strain. He made one minor league rehab start, working six scoreless innings on Monday.

Clearing the bases

Boston has designated catcher A.J. Pierzynski for assignment and also called up catcher Christian Vazquez and right-hander Rubby De La Rosa from Triple-A. … Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly is set to return to the rotation Friday from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him nearly three months. … Royals LHP Jason Vargas was taken to the hospital Wednesday and had an appendectomy.