New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 24, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda rubs down a new ball after giving up a solo home run to Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 24, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws to first base to check on a Tampa Bay Rays base runner during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 24, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda rubs down a new ball after giving up a solo home run to Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 24, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Toronto September 19, 2013. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Toronto September 19, 2013. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts September 13, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

Boston Red Sox Daniel Nava (29) hits an RBI single off New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (R) in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts September 13, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts September 13, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda paces the mound after giving up a home run to Chicago White Sox batter Alejandro De Aza in the seventh inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York September 3, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) removes starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (R) from their game with the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York September 3, 2013. The catcher is Chris Stewart (C). REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda sits in the dugout after he was removed from their game with the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York September 3, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda sits in the dugout after he was removed from their game with the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York September 3, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws pitch as Chicago White Sox runner Adam Dunn (32) leads off first base in the first inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 3, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto August 28, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda wipes off his perspiration during a break in play against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto August 28, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto, August 28, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda rubs a new ball after giving up back to back home runs to the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida August 23, 2013. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda watches the ball go into the stands after giving up back to back home runs to the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida August 23, 2013. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reaches for a new ball after giving up a home run to the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida August 23, 2013. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda works from the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida August 23, 2013. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda works from the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida August 23, 2013. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, August 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, August 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, August 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankee's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reacts while playing the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago, August 6, 2013. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankee's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reacts as he walks off the field while playing the Chicago White Sox at the end of the sixth inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago, August 6, 2013. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankee's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reacts as he walks off the field while playing the Chicago White Sox at the end of the sixth inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago, August 6, 2013. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankee's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reacts as he walks off the field while playing the Chicago White Sox at the end of the seventh inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago, August 6, 2013. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankee's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches to the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago, August 6, 2013. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan throws a second inning pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their Interleague MLB baseball game in Los Angeles July 31, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan throws a second inning pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their Interleague MLB baseball game in Los Angeles July 31, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan throws a second inning pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their Interleague MLB baseball game in Los Angeles July 31, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hideki Matsui is surrounded by teammates Andy Pettitte (L), pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (R-C), second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter (R) before their MLB American League game with the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 28, 2013. Matsui signed a one-day contract to become a Yankee before officially retiring. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New New York Yankees left fielder Alfonso Soriano grins after he was greeted by starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (R) in the dugout before their MLB American League game with the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 26, 2013. Soriano was traded from the Chicago Cubs before the game. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas, July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Tim Sharp (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas, July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Tim Sharp (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan fields a ground out by Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia (not seen) during the first inning of American League MLB baseball action at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of American League MLB baseball action at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda of Japan delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of American League MLB baseball action at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Minnesota Twins after a one-hour-and-13-minute rain delay in the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda gets ready to pitch to the Minnesota Twins after a one-hour-and-13-minute rain delay in the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 12, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 7, 2013. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (R) hands the ball over to manager Joe Girardi (2nd L), as catcher Chris Stewart looking on, in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda wipes away perspiration on a hot and humid evening as he faces the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

Baltimore Orioles batter Nate McLouth (2nd R) is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda in the third inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

Baltimore Orioles batter Nate McLouth watches the flight of his home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (not seen) in the third inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

Baltimore Orioles batter Manny Machado is greeted by teammates Matt Wieters (C) and Chris Davis (R) after hitting a home run off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is greeted by manager Buck Showalter after blasting his major-league leading 31st home run during the second inning off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda during their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda works to the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda works to the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL) 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda reacts after Texas Rangers batter Leonys Martin hit his second home run of the game in the fifth inning of their MLB American League game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 25, 2013. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)