Castro staying confident despite ill-timed slump

Starlin Castro doesn’t have any answers right now.

That can happen when you’re in the midst of an 0-for-14 stretch, especially during a key part of the season.

On Tuesday, the second baseman went hitless in four at-bats and grounded out to end a 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay at Citi Field.

“I don’t really trust my hands now,” Castro said. “I feel in between right now. I’m trying to hit the curveball and fastball at the same time and it doesn’t work. I need to look for one pitch and react to the other one.”

Just over a week ago, Castro was the hottest hitter in the Yankees’ lineup.

After returning from a broken tooth that caused him to miss a game against the Red Sox, Castro went 8for-15 over the next three days with a double and a home run against Baltimore and Boston.

He homered again in the series finale in Baltimore but has had just one hit since.

“Guys aren’t gonna go 2-for-4 every day,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s a little bit off. Guys are used to fighting through things like this.”

The manager said he would give Cas- tro a day off soon, but Castro was confident he didn’t need one — especially given how much time he’s missed this season due to a pair of right hamstring injuries. “Physically, I’m healthy,” Castro said. “I’m not tired. I’ve been off for two months [with injuries]. This is a moment I need to keep my head up. It’s September. I’m ready.”

Castro managed to contribute Tuesday with a nice diving play on a Corey Dickerson grounder to start the bottom of the fifth.

But at the plate, he has been indecisive.

“I need to look for one pitch. I’ve been doing it all year,” Castro said. We all have this kind of moment in the season, and this is the first time it’s happened to me.”

When he’s been able to stay on the field, it’s been a very productive season for Castro to this point.

The Yankees survived his absence thanks to Ronald Torreyes’ performance, but they’ll need to rely on Castro and Didi Gregorius in the middle of the infield if they have a chance to make a run into October.

“I know I’m gonna be all right,” Castro said. “It’s a tough moment, and I don’t want to be like that right now, but I’m going to figure it out.”