Doesn’t take an astronaut to see Dellin’s the closer

KANSAS CITY — Dellin Betances may be worried about many things now that he’s back in the closer’s role. But one thing he’s not worried about is Randy Levine. On Tuesday, the Yankees’ team president told FanRag Sports: “He’s going to do great. I have full confidence he’ll do the job.”

Levine had been much tougher on Betances during a contentious arbitration hearing in February.

“That was arbitration, based on the past. But he’s ready to do it now,” said Levine, who referred the Daily News to his previous comments when contacted Tuesday.

“Honestly, I’m not focused on Randy Levine,” Betances said when informed of the comments before the Yankees’ 7-1 victory over the Royals. “I’m focused on this team. I’m just trying to do my job and help these guys win. Obviously, losing (Aroldis) Chapman is a big deal for us, and I’m just going to try to be the best I can be and wait until he gets back. I don’t think I need to prove my value. I feel like these guys know every time I go out there I try to do the best that I can.”

After Betances had lost his arbitration hearing, getting $3 million instead of the $5 million he filed for, Levine said, “Five million is for elite closers. Pitchers who pitch the ninth inning and have a lot of saves. Dellin didn’t have that record. He never did. It’s like me saying, ‘I’m not the president of the Yankees, I’m an astronaut.’ I’m not an astronaut and Dellin Betances is not a closer, at least based on statistics.”

Betances, 29, has pitched to a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings this season. Over the past three seasons combined, he owns the highest WAR of any reliever. But he went just 12 for 17 in save opportunities in 2016, perhaps due to being overworked late in the year.

Chapman is out for at least a month due to rotator cuff inflammation in his left shoulder.

“I mean, I guess it is a difference (pitching in the ninth instead of the eighth) because you’re either shaking hands at the end of the game or you’re going to go home upset,” Betances said. “But I think for me being able to do it the last year and a couple times when guys got hurt, the biggest thing is just to go out there, be aggressive in the strike zone and not try to put too much pressure on yourself. You have to be on the attack and believe in the stuff that you have.”

TANAKA STRUGGLING

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild talked with Masahiro Tanaka about some mechanical things on Tuesday, Joe Girardi said. Tanaka’s ERA rose to 5.80 after he was tagged for eight earned runs and four homers in 1.2 innings Sunday. The 28-year-old righty has had an inconsistent splitter and slider. “I think his front shoulder was flying open a little,” Girardi said, again noting there is nothing wrong physically with Tanaka.

FIRST BASE PLAN

Chris Carter was in a 2-for-20 slump prior to his three-hit night on Tuesday, but Girardi said he only wants to use hot-hitting Matt Holliday once or twice a week at first base at most. The Yankees want to preserve the 37-year-old Holliday, their regular DH, for the duration of the regular season. Austin Romine is capable of playing first as well.