Yanks in no rush to pitch prospect

TAMPA — One day after James Kaprielian described himself as a “caged bull’’ and couldn’t wait until he got the chance to pitch in an exhibition game, Brian Cashman strongly suggested the former first-round pick won’t work a game until the Florida State League begins play.

Instead, the right-hander will throw simulated games.

“It’s more than possible,’’ the general manager said before the Yankees beat the Braves 8-7 at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday night. “Last year he pitched in April and then he went to the [Arizona] Fall League. We are taking a slow process in the spring so he is healthy.’’

Kaprielian worked three games for Single-A Tampa last season before being shut down with a strained right flexor tendon problem. He threw in the Instructional League and the AFL.

“We are preparing him more for April of his minor league season,’’ Cashman said of the Yankees’ first-round pick in 2015 draft out of UCLA. “We want to minimize the exposure and keep him on a snail’s pace.’’

➤ Bryan Mitchell was pleased with the first of three innings he worked Wednesday night, but the following two didn’t please the right-hander who is competing for the final spots in the rotation.

“The second and third I wasn’t attacking as well. There were good results tonight but I could have thrown the ball better,’’ said Mitchell, who didn’t allow a run or a hit and walked one. ➤ At the beginning of camp, Joe Girardi said he might split up Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury and hit one of the lefty swingers lower in the order. Nevertheless, Girardi watched the duo Wednesday night and was reminded what they can do hitting together. Ellsbury was 2-for-2 with a homer and a double and was hit by a pitch. Gardner went 1-for-3 and scored a run.