Inbox: Will Tanaka be at full strength in 2015?

At this point, the Yankees are operating under an expectation that Tanaka will return as the All-Star-caliber pitcher you saw in the first half of last season. Tanaka went home to Japan and said he planned to use the offseason to further rest his right elbow, with the hopes of coming back healthy enough to turn in a 32-start workload in 2015. That would do a lot to answer some of the questions about the rotation.

The results of Tanaka's two September starts -- one solid against the Blue Jays in New York and one rough against the Red Sox at Fenway Park -- weren't as important as the fact that Tanaka got through them without clutching his elbow. He wouldn't have been able to hide that kind of discomfort, and Tanaka even was able to snap off a few of his trademark splitters with good action.

It remains possible that Tanaka will need Tommy John surgery at some point, but it looks like the rehab recommendation -- supplied by four specialists in July -- turned out to be the right call. Manager Joe Girardi said that a Tanaka injury will still be his biggest fear leaving Spring Training, and pitching coach Larry Rothschild said that we probably won't know the full effect of that tear until five years down the line.

Working in the Yankees' favor, as far as their substantial investment in Tanaka goes, is that there is some history of pitchers enjoying success at the big league level despite a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Adam Wainwright is probably the most prominent example, and as Rothschild said, "It's possible that he can get through this for quite a while." The Yanks have their fingers crossed.

Given that the free-agent-shortstop field is thin, should the Yankees consider moving Alex Rodriguez back to shortstop and bring in a new third baseman?
-- Tim F., Fort Pierce, Fla.

We have been seeing this question quite a bit, but there's no circumstance where the Yankees would ask Rodriguez to play shortstop on a regular basis in 2015. He hasn't played in a year, will be turning 40 in July and his mobility has been impacted by two surgically repaired hips; plus, Rodriguez hasn't seen an inning at the position since 2005, and he has not played there regularly since '03.

As it stands right now, the Yankees aren't even sure if Rodriguez will be physically capable to play third base; they'll attempt to find out in the spring, but the Yanks are seeking contingency plans for the position. Rodriguez will probably take a few ground balls at first base this year, but the club won't be asking him to take on an even more physically demanding position like shortstop.

A-Rod's strong throw

A-Rod's strong throw 00:00:23

8/22/13: Alex Rodriguez grabs Brett Lawrie's grounder and throws to first to get the out just in time

I like David Robertson both as a setup man and as a closer. If the Yankees decide to give Dellin Betances a chance at closing games, would it be a good fit to have Robertson back as the setup man?
-- John T., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Robertson has graduated to "bonafide closer" territory, as general manager Brian Cashman said recently, and if he returns in 2015, it would be as the Yankees' closer. That's no guarantee; the Yanks extended him a qualifying offer on Monday, valued at $15.3 million for 2015, but Robertson is in good position to chase an even bigger payday on the open market.

If Robertson does return, having Betances setting up as a dominant arm capable of getting four or more outs would keep the bullpen as one of the team's strengths. If not, it's possible that Betances could flourish in the ninth inning -- think Mariano Rivera, circa 1997 -- while the Yankees plug in a new setup man.

Robertson nails down save

Robertson nails down save 00:00:34

9/26/14: David Robertson gets Garin Cecchini to fly out to left, ending the game and preserving the Yankees' 3-2 victory for his 39th save

Greg Bird has been impressive in the Arizona Fall League this year. How far from the Bronx could he be?
-- Pete S., Nanuet, N.Y.

Bird was named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game on Saturday after crushing a monster home run to center field. Originally drafted as a catcher and now seeing time at first base, Bird will turn 22 later this month and has been ranked as the Yankees' No. 11 prospect by MLB.com, tagged with a 2016 MLB ETA.

Bird played in just 27 games this past year at Double-A Trenton and is slated to open 2015 at that same level. If he continues swinging the bat well, it wouldn't be surprising to see Bird get a promotion to Triple-A and perhaps even a late-season callup next season.

Bird's solo homer

Bird's solo homer 1:01

11/1/14: Greg Bird drives a pitch over the center-field wall for a solo shot, giving the East a 1-0 lead

Is David Phelps still viewed as a starter or more of a long-relief pitcher?
-- Ron C., Belmar, N.J.

Phelps' last six appearances of the year were in relief, but that was a result of him missing more than a month with right elbow inflammation and not having enough time to build his stamina back up for starting. Looking ahead to 2015 (and not knowing who might be imported via free agency or lost in trade), Phelps figures to be in the mix for a back-end rotation spot.

The Yankees will have plenty of candidates in circulation there because of injury-related uncertainty: CC Sabathia and Tanaka are coming back as question marks, Ivan Nova won't be ready until at least May and, though he finished the year healthy, Michael Pineda can't really be considered a given because of his history. As projected right now, Phelps, Shane Greene, Bryan Mitchell and Chase Whitley are among the hurlers who could all be considered for big league starting or relief duty.

Phelps induces double play

Phelps induces double play 00:00:16

8/3/14: David Phelps gets Xander Bogaerts to ground into an around-the-horn double play to end the 1st inning

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.