YANKEES NOTES

“Do we get caught up necessarily how many hits [given up] and this guy’s ERA? Not necessarily,” Boone said. “We will try and evaluate a guy’s performance the best we can by what we are seeing.”

Since Luis Cessa, who can start and relieve, and Tommy Kahnle, strictly a reliever, are out of options, they could have the inside track on the openings. However, Cessa is a candidate to start in the first turn through the rotation when CC Sabathia serves a five-game suspension. That could create a bullpen opening when camp ends.

Domingo German, Stephen Tarpley and Danny Farquhar could claim a spot in the pen that is dominated by Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green and Jonathan Holder. Boone said the club is inclined to look at Jonathan Loaisiga as a starter.

Should Tarpley force his way into the pen, he would give Boone a third lefty to go with Chapman and Britton. Tarpley made 10 relief appearances for the Yankees last year and posted a 3.00 ERA in nine innings.

Gary Sanchez didn’t take batting practice but it had nothing to do with his surgically repaired left shoulder.

“It was planned Sunday, the day he wasn’t going to hit on the field. He did all his team stuff and all his catching stuff. A normal day off from hitting,” Boone said. According to Boone, Didi Gre

gorius is still a ways away from taking batting practice after having Tommy John surgery following last season.

“Sometime in the first couple of weeks in March, he will see the doctor again, and if it goes well, he will be cleared to start a hitting program, start with dry swings and a tee,” Boone said. “I think we are two or three weeks away from that point.”