TAMPA, Fla. -- Aaron Boone opened his first media availability of the spring by celebrating the health of his arriving pitchers and catchers, saying, “As far as I know, I think we’re in a good spot.”
Less than 24 hours later, the Yankees are managing an injury to one of their most promising hurlers.
Cam Schlittler is dealing with mid-back inflammation, and though the right-hander said he has “zero” concern, the discomfort will keep him from throwing off the mound for at least a few days.
“It’s early, so I just want to make sure I’m on top of it,” said Schlittler, who added that he hopes to resume mound work at some point next week.
Schlittler, 25, said he has been dealing with the issue for “a few weeks.” He also mentioned his left lat muscle when describing the discomfort, which can sometimes signal a more significant absence.
He said he’s “not concerned at all,” and for the moment, the Yankees believe they are ahead of it. Boone said Schlittler underwent tests and will continue throwing on flat ground, as he did on Wednesday and Thursday.
“It’s really kind of minor,” Boone said. “He’s been getting some treatment and it hasn’t really slowed him.”
Boone noted that Schlittler was somewhat ahead of schedule this spring, as he’s one of the few pitchers in camp to have already thrown a two-inning live batting practice session at the club’s Minor League complex.
“He’s felt a little tweak here and there,” Boone said. “I don’t think it’ll slow him that much, but we just want to make sure we don’t turn it into something else.”
The Yankees are counting on Schlittler to be a key part of their season-opening rotation, with Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt all rehabbing from injuries.
Rodón isn’t expected to return until late April or early May, while Cole is targeting May or June.
Schlittler was a breakout second-half star last year, going 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 14 starts. He delivered eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in the clinching Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, then took the loss in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Blue Jays.
“I felt like I found my identity a little bit, those last three outings I had,” Schlittler said. “It took two months up there to really figure out how I need to pitch. For me, it’s just kind of the routine and making sure that I’m taking care of myself on and off the field, going out there with what I learned at the end of the season.”
Schlittler said he took about four weeks off from throwing after the ALDS, calling it a normal rest to his Minor League routine. If healthy, Schlittler could follow Max Fried in the season-opening series against the Giants.
“I’m looking to throw a full season,” Schlittler said. “There’s really no concern and no worries when it comes to that stuff.”