MLB

Yankees nix Starlin Castro at third, giving hope to Refsnyder

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Starlin Castro third base experiment has ended before it really began, and that is OK with him.

“I feel good, I don’t even think about it,’’ Castro said after manager Joe Girardi said Thursday it wasn’t likely the Yankees’ starting second baseman would get work at third.

That was the plan when camp opened because the Yankees are looking for Chase Headley’s backup.

“At first they said we are going to try and see if I like it,” Castro said. “They wanted me to be comfortable [at second], and that’s what I wanted, too.’’

According to Castro, he worked at third very briefly early in camp.

“Weeks ago we did a little bit,’’ Castro said. “They don’t ask me to do it no more.’’

Girardi said before the Yankees’ 4-4 tie against the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Thursday that Castro, a shortstop until the middle of last year, is Didi Gregorius’ backup, but he won’t be playing third base.

“I don’t know if that is going to happen,’’ Girardi said. “We want to make sure he is comfortable at second.’’

Rob Refsnyder takes grounders at third base.Charles Wenzelberg

Acquired from the Cubs in early December for Adam Warren, Castro has started just 29 games at second base compared to 865 at short. Though Girardi said he has liked what he has seen from Castro at second and figures Castro hasn’t forgotten how to play short, he isn’t going to throw another new position into the mix for Castro, who turns 26 later this month.

“As of right now he is probably our backup shortstop unless something happens,’’ Girardi said.

Castro started at shortstop Thursday for the first time this spring. Girardi said it wasn’t the last time he will play Castro at short during the exhibition season.

“It depends on who the true utility guy is, that will depend,” Girardi said. “So we figured we better get some reps [at short].’’

The general rule is a backup infielder needs to be able play short in a pinch. However, with Castro around to handle it, the Yankees’ situation is different.

“Our backup needs to play third and second,’’ Girardi said.

That could keep Rob Refsnyder in play for a roster spot, but the Yankees would have to carry 12 pitchers, instead of 13, for that to happen. Refsnyder has played third base in the early exhibition games and has played second base in the minors after being converted from a right fielder in 2013. He was at third Thursday against the Orioles.

As for going back to short, Castro said he felt a bit strange at his old position, where he was charged with a tough fielding error in the fourth when he was screened by a diving Refsnyder.

“It was a little weird, the last time I played there was last year,’’ said Castro, who went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs. “It’s my natural position, and what learned there I [will] never forgot.’’