Masahiro Tanaka will throw a 25-pitch bullpen on Saturday - MLB

Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled for a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday at Tropicana Field, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports. Tanaka hasn’t pitched since July 8 due to a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. All 25 pitches will be fastballs.

If Tanaka’s road to recovery goes according to plan, the Yankees may be able to get the right-hander back some time in mid- or late-September. At the time he went on the disabled list, Tanaka was in the running for the American League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards with a 2.51 ERA and a 135/19 K/BB ratio in 129 1/3 innings over 18 starts.

The Yankees entered tonight’s game against the Rays on a four-game losing streak, eight games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The hope is that by the time Tanaka is ready to return, the Yankees will still be in the running for a ticket to the post-season.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.