New York Daily News

After Saturday’s fiasco, who knows when it’ll be Sonny again?

- BY MIKE MAZZEO

A day after his disastrous start against Boston, Sonny Gray was chatting with CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances at their lockers inside the Yankees’ clubhouse discussing LeBron James’ future before James joined the Lakers.

As far as Gray’s immediate future, the question is: Will he make his next start?

The Yankees have an off-day on Thursday. Jonathan Loaisiga, Domingo German and CC Sabathia are lined up to pitch against the Braves. That means they could have Gray pitch on Friday in Toronto.

“If you’re asking if we’re trying to avoid his next start, I would say no,” Brian Cashman said.

If it were against the Red Sox or another playoff team, it’s highly unlikely he’d pitch given his past struggles versus elite competitio­n — and the Yankees’ neck-and-neck race with Boston in the AL East. Not the way he’s going. Regardless, it might be wise for the Bombers to skip Gray and let him work on his stuff in a bullpen or a simulated game. After getting shelled by the Red Sox and booed by thousands of understand­ably

unhappy customers, no one is sure of anything when it comes to him.

“How he’s pitched is a concern because it’s been a long enough time,” Cashman said. “All I can tell you is he’s capable of more and he knows it, we know it.

“He’s obviously going to continue to work through it the best he possibly can, and my job is to continue to find ways to improve this roster and give our manager as many choices as possible so we’ll see.”

Gray’s ERA is 5.44, 8.25 at home, 7.59 against .500 or better teams and 20.25 versus Boston.

He was very open and honest following Saturday’s 11-0 shellackin­g about his struggles after allowing six runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.

“We’re the best team in baseball four out of five days, and then I come out and do that. It just sucks,” Gray said.

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