Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka Spotted Using Way Different Splitter Grip in Most Recent Start

When a pitcher of Masahiro Tanaka's caliber concedes 12 runs on 12 hits in just 3.1 innings of work in his previous start, you can expect him to make major changes ahead of his next outing.

Well, the two-time All-Star did just that during Wednesday night's clash against the Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium. Check out Masa's immensely different grip on his signature split-fingered fastball he debuted against Arizona.

He didn't have his typical ace stuff on Wednesday, but it goes without saying that the Yankees' right-handed hurler is going above and beyond to find stability here, even with his most important pitch. He lasted just four innings, but surrendered only two runs on five hits.

Tanaka's issues didn't exactly begin with his implosion against the Red Sox, either. In the start prior against the Rockies, he gave up five runs in the sixth inning alone after carrying a shutout up to that point.

And the adjustment appeared to be effective as the 30-year-old recorded his season-high for swings and misses with the splitter on Wednesday.

The issue begins with the seams on whatever mysterious new baseballs the MLB's installed this year. Due to their raised nature, Tanaka's been unable to get a feel for his sinkpiece it seems.

Aaron Boone and Co. had better hope that this tweak is enough to change the narrative surrounding Tanaka. His below-average 4.76 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 2019 speak for themselves. And if it doesn't change, Bombers buffs will be calling for Domingo German's name in the biggest games of the postseason -- an honor that used to be Masahiro's by default.

This grip alteration was a good start to doing just that. Only time will tell if it serves as a permanent fix, however.