TAMPA — The regular season is still a month away, but Cam Schlittler took a key step Wednesday toward being ready to start it on time.
The right-hander threw 25 pitches of live batting practice on a back field, facing hitters for the first time since the Yankees slowed him down two weeks ago to deal with mid-back/left lat inflammation.
Both Schlittler and the Yankees had downplayed any concern about it, but the minor flare-up stifled the 25-year-old’s buildup while they made sure it did not turn into a bigger deal.
Assuming he recovers from Wednesday’s session without issues, Schlittler will face hitters again on Sunday before potentially getting into his first Grapefruit League game late next week.
“I expect him to be good [for the start of the season],” manager Aaron Boone said before Schlittler took the mound. “Now, I don’t think he’ll be to 80-90 pitches yet. … But I’ll take 70 pitches of Cam Schlittler, especially with some of the off-days you have. Even if you’re in a piggyback situation for a time or two, sign me up for that.”
The Yankees do not necessarily need to carry a fifth starter to begin the season, due to four off-days before they play their 10th game.
But if Schlittler is healthy enough by then, the Yankees plan on using him from the get-go.
Oswaldo Cabrera could get into games by late next week, as the utilityman continues to shake off more rust coming back from a broken ankle and ligament damage last May.
“He’s doing really well,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s made real improvements the last couple weeks. So possibly at the back end of next week, maybe getting into games. I know he’s starting to feel really good. It’s just getting that last level of burst.”
Anthony Volpe is a little over a week into his hitting progression and “doing well,” Boone said, as he hits off the tee and soft tosses.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
