Mitchell doesn’t make call any easier

TAMPA — Adam Warren is the only member of the five-man-fortwo-spots-rotation competition who is a lock to make the team.

“Outside of Warren, who isn’t going anywhere because he can go to the pen or be in the rotation, the rest of the guys have flexibility and options,’’ GM Brian Cashman said. “Now we have two weeks to focus on that and make a decision.’’

Luis Severino and Bryan Mitchell, Tuesday night’s starter against the Red Sox, were considered the pre-camp favorites for the spots, but Severino has underwhelmed and Mitchell hasn’t separated himself from the others. So, the door remains open for Luis Cessa and Chad Green.

“I hope sooner than later, but it’s not really ironing out that way,’’ Joe Girardi said of naming the fourth and fifth starters. “Some guys have had some struggles. Your hope is that someone would step up and dominate but it hasn’t been that way.

Mitchell worked 4 ¹/₃ innings in a 4-2 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs in the third inning.

“He was OK. You look at the line score and it was OK. He gave up some hard-hit balls,’’ Girardi said of Mitchell, who surrendered seven hits and fanned seven. “I thought he could have used his curveball a little bit more effectively, he had a good curveball.’’

Mitchell was pleased with the outing.

“As far as everything I thought it was the best stuff I have had throughout the outings,’’ Mitchell said. “I actually got a few outs on the splitter.’’

Cessa gave up a run, two hits and walked two in two frames and could be headed for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to provide rotation depth.

Dellin Betances wasn’t sure when he would pitch for the Yankees next, but didn’t hesitate when asked about being ready for Opening Day.

“I am ready for the season to start,’’ Betances said Tuesday at GMS Field after returning from pl ay i ng wit h t he Dominican Republican team in the World Baseball Classic. “I am ready to go.’’