GM focusing on trade for starting pitcher

The Yankees have the best winning percentage in the majors and general manager Brian Cashman already is talking to teams about potential deals.

“This team has earned the right to get reinforced here if we can possibly find a way,” Cashman said. “But we certainly like the team we’ve got and would certainly love to make it better, if possible.”

Cashman’s conversations have picked up since last week’s draft and will intensify as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

As usual, they will be targeting starting pitching.

“That’s always been a focus of ours,” Cashman said before the Yankees beat the Rays 5-0 at Yankee Stadium. “We’re always trying to reinforce that and improve on it. Time will tell. In the meantime, it’s great to see what [Domingo] German has done for us. Hopefully we can get [Masahiro] Tanaka back in a timely matter and then it would be nice to be able to improve on things at the same time.”

Tanaka was back at the Stadium on Friday after suffering an inner ear issue that affected him the previous two days. On the disabled list with two stiff hamstrings, Tanaka played catch Friday.

When Greg Bird was activated from the DL on May 26, Ronald Torreyes surprisingly was sent to Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre, while Tyler Austin remained with the Yankees.

When another move was needed Thursday to promote Jonathan Loaisiga for his Friday start, Austin, the extra first baseman, had no longer done enough to warrant the nod over Torreyes, the utility man, who stayed with the Yankees.

“[Torreyes] just gives us more flexibility,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We were seeing Tyler’s playing time kind of diminish, and with [ Neil] Walker, we kind of have that protection if we want to give Bird a day off.

“We have 13 pitchers,’’ Boone said. “To have three first basemen is probably not the most perfect roster construction.”

Austin has slumped after a strong April.

The Rays will start Ryne Stanek on Saturday before turning to Ryan Scarborough to pitch the bulk of the game. Boone said the strategy “may affect the construction of the lineup,” but he would still primarily base it on who need a rest “more so than to strategize.” ... Jonathan Holder tossed a scoreless sixth and has still not allowed an earned run in 19 games since being recalled from SWB on April 21, a span of 21 innings. … Andy Pettitte pitched during batting practice. He will make his first appearance at OldTimers’ Day on Sunday.