Stanton nearly ready to stay in OF

MIAMI — In a perfect world Giancarlo Stanton’s return to right field on Tuesday evening doesn’t end when the Yankees resume playing games in which the DH will be used.

Stanton, who has been managing a left hamstring problem by DHing in the previous 12 games, was in right field against the Marlins because the leg had progressed to the point the Yankees felt comfortable using him and that the DH isn’t used in NL parks.

Before Tuesday night’s 2-1, 12-inning win over the Marlins, Aaron Boone said the hope is Stanton can play the outfield when the Yankees open a four-game (in three days) series against the Orioles on Friday night in Baltimore.

“That is the hope because he provides flexibility,’’ Boone said of Stan- ton being healthy enough to play right field after the club leaves Florida. “The hope is that he is a [right field] option once we leave here.’’

Stanton, who wasn’t challenged in right field, said the return to the outfield went as planned.

“It’s been a while, felt pretty good,’’ said Stanton, who went 2for-6 in his return to South Florida with a laser double in the first inning off the left-field wall. “I didn’t get tested which is ideal for the first time.’’

Stanton wasn’t slowed by the hamstring problem at the plate since he entered the night hitting .341 (15-for-44) with six homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.294 OPS in the previous dozen games.

David Robertson said if he was needed he could have pitched Tues- day night. But when Boone called for

A.J. Cole to start the 11th inning it was clear the manager was staying away from the right-hander, who had a tender shoulder.

“I played catch [Tuesday] and I quite fell I wasn’t 100 percent,’’ said Robertson, who hasn’t pitched since Friday. “I told [pitching coach] Larry [Rothschild] to see if I could try and get a day [off ]. Of all days it turned out to be this game. If they need me I should be there [Wednesday].’’

Gary Sanchez is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday in the Gulf Coast League. If all goes well the catcher will move to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and play a week of games before being considered to come off the DL. Sanchez is on the shelf with a right groin problem.

Boone said Aaron Judge is showing improvement but is not yet cleared to get a bat in his hands.

“Better [Tuesday] but not at the point where we can put a bat in his hand,’’ Boone said. “The fracture will tell us when.’’

Alex Rodriguez was in uniform and observing the Yankees’ early batting practice and fielding drills Tuesday at Marlins Park. Rodriguez was seen on the field talking to third baseman Miguel Andujar and later sat with Andujar at his locker.

Promoted from SWB on Tuesday, first baseman Luke Voit was drilled in the back during batting practice by a liner off Aaron Hicks’ bat.