New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka revealed Thursday on Twitter that he returned to his native Japan from the United States late last month amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

NJ.com's Brendan Kuty published a translated version of Tanaka's tweets:

"By entering Japan from the United States, where the infection of the new coronavirus is expanding, even though we currently have no symptoms, would you still infect someone without knowing it? Wouldn't my family get infected? There were various thoughts.

"However, after spring training was discontinued, there was a situation where I was in danger besides the coronavirus infection while staying in Florida. I have decided to return home temporarily with deep caution.

"We are currently self-quarantined at home for two weeks, as requested by the Japanese government.

"As a person traveled from foreign country, I will continue to take responsible actions."

Travel restrictions could impact when Tanaka is allowed to return to the United States, but with the 2020 MLB season suspended and no set date for its resumption, that may not be an immediate issue.

According to CNN, there are over 960,000 known cases of COVID-19 worldwide, resulting in more than 49,000 deaths. The United States has the most reported cases of any country with nearly 217,000, while Japan is much further down the list with less than 2,400.

Tanaka owns a home in New York City, which has been hit harder by the coronavirus than any other area in the U.S., which may have contributed to Tanaka's decision to go back to Japan.

Major League Baseball halted spring training on March 12 after the NBA and NHL suspended their seasons because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The 2020 MLB regular season had been set to commence at the end of March, but Opening Day has been delayed. During an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt last month, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged that playing a full 162-game season is now unlikely.

While MLB has yet to make any final decisions regarding schedule changes, it is possible that the regular season could last through October and that World Series games could be played in December.

If and when the 2020 MLB season does begin, Tanaka will be a key part of a Yankees rotation that also includes James Paxton and free-agent signee Gerrit Cole.

With that trio of starters and a stacked lineup, the Yanks will be the favorites to represent the American League in the 2020 World Series should it happen.