Tanaka reigns in rain

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Opening Day starting assignment continues to be the worst-kept secret in Yankeeland, yet Joe Girardi simply won’t commit to naming Masahiro Tanaka as his starter for Monday’s opener against the Astros.

Tanaka allowed one run over four innings Tuesday against the Phillies, striking out five in his final start of the spring. Girardi had called on Tanaka to “dial it up” in his final outing, something the righthander did before the game was rained out. Still, Girardi wasn’t prepared to tab Tanaka for his second straight Opening Day assignment, wanting to make sure he came through the start and Thursday’s bullpen session without incident.

“It was better; we were happy about that,” Girardi said. “The split was better, the curveball was better, the slider was better. The stuff was better.”

Tanaka said through a translator that he had “no problems at all” following Tuesday’s start, but he was in no mood to discuss the Opening Day situation.

“Only 30 pitchers get to pitch in that Opening Day game,” Tanaka said. “Given that, it is a special day. But, again, we haven’t been told anything yet, so that’s as far as I can comment.”

MITCHELL HURT

Bryan Mitchell came to camp with one goal in mind: be one of the last 25 men standing. He appeared to have accomplished his mission after being informed Tuesday that he would open the season with the major-league team for the first time in his career. But Wednesday, Mitchell hobbled off the field with a sprained left big toe, leaving him bound for an MRI machine in Tampa. Mitchell suffered the injury as he went to cover first base for the final out of the eighth inning against the Braves. “I honestly don’t know what to feel right now,” Mitchell said. “I’m just trying to stay positive and hopefully when I wake up tomorrow it feels 10 times better than it does. Just trying to stay positive right now.”

— With Anthony McCarron in Tampa