Girardi on Japanese star: ‘He’s definitely intriguing’

Joe Girardi’s attention remains on the Yankees’ pursuit of a playoff spot, but even he can’t help keeping an eye on Shohei Otani, the Japanese star who is expected to be in the majors next season.

“He’s definitely intriguing,’’ Girardi said before the Yankees faced the Rays on Wednesday at Citi Field, a day after reports surfaced in Japan that the 23-year-old, who pitches and plays the outfield, would leave Japan following this season.

“Obviously, I haven’t really seen him,” Girardi said. “But you hear reports on him.”

Many of them include the possi- bility of him carrying his two-way status to the majors.

“I was asked, ‘ Could a guy pitch and DH some?’ ” Girardi said. “It’s possible. You’d be concerned a little bit the day before his start, but it does create a unique situation where if he’s able to DH, it kind of opens up another spot on your roster. To me, if you want go to a six-man rotation, it becomes a lot easier.”

Of course, being a starting pitcher and occasional outfielder or DH figures to be more taxing in the majors than it is in Japan, where Otani has dominated in both areas of the game.

“I think, in reality, we can’t really say if he can or can’t do it,” Masa- hiro Tanaka said through an interpreter. “I know no one is doing that right now in the major leagues, but anything is possible.”

Tanaka added Otani, and whichever team signs him, would have to manage expectations.

“I think it’s about where you draw the line with being successful as both pitcher and a batter,” Tanaka said. “Perhaps it’s not possible to win 20 games and hit 50 home runs, but it’s where you draw that line of being successful. You’ve got to give him a chance — if he’s gonna go about doing it.”

Tanaka worked out with Otani in Japan last offseason, and though he hasn’t stayed in contact with him, Tanaka said he knows Otani has battled ankle and thigh injuries that have limited him to two starts so far this year.

Scouts from at least 16 teams have gone to Japan to watch Otani this year, including Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Cashman has declined to comment on Otani, since he still is property of another team.

The Dodgers, Mariners, Giants and Rangers are among other potential landing spots.

If Otani does end up getting posted by Hokkaido, the team that signs him would owe Hokkaido $20 million, but limited to the international pool money, since Otani isn’t 25.