Gregorius: I’ll always be Jeter’s successor

TAMPA — Just because Didi Gregorius is entering his second year as the Yankees’ shortstop doesn’t mean he is looking forward to the talk of being Derek Jeter’s replacement dying out.

“It’s going to come up anyway, it’s never in the past,’’ Gregorius said Tuesday following a workout at the Yankees’ minor league facility.

For the f irst six weeks of last season, it appeared Gregori us ha d a better chance of being sent to Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre than easing the fears he wasn’t built to take over for the Yankees legend.

“I started to pick up halfway through and try to keep it going this year,’’ said Gregorius, who finished with a .265 batting average and displayed Gold Glove defense in the second half of last season. “Getting to know the [American League] a little better, that was the thing in the first couple of months. Hopefully I can stay consistent through the whole year. It’ s an improvement year and you have to improve every year. Hopefully try and keep the same thing going and try to get even better.’’

Gregorius took ground balls Tuesday with Starlin Castro, his new doubleplay partner.

“Today was actually the first time we talked ,’’ Gregorius said .“Everybody knows since he made it to the big leagues he was a star with the Cubs and now t hat he is here he is still going to be a star here.’’

Chief baseball officer Joe Torre, former umpire Larry Young and MLB VP of baseball operations Peter Woodfork met with the Yankees staff to talk about the new rules relating to the pace of the game. New this year is managers having a 30-second clock on them to make a pitching change.

Late in his life, spring training became too much for Yogi Berra to attend, so not seeing the Hall of Famer in camp isn’t new to the Yankees. However, that doesn’t mean Berra, who passed away Sept. 22, has been forgotten.

“It hits me when I drive by Lee Roy Selmon’s [restaurant ],’’ Joe G irar di said of remembering Berra. “That was one of his favorite places to eat. It’s nice to honor Yogi because he meant so much to the organization.’’

The Yankees will continue to wear Berra’s No. 8 on the sleeve of their uniforms this season.

Chase Headley, Carlos Belt ra n, Castro and Gregorius worked out at the minor league complex. Castro drew a crowd of Yankee scouts, in camp for meetings, during batting practice.

Position players report Wednesday and the first full-squad workout is Thursday.

First baseman Chris Parmelee arrived in camp. Parmelee is on a minor league contract and headed for SWB. Adding Parmelee, who will wear No. 24, hiked the number of players in camp to 69.