MLB

Yankees’ rotation options: 1 run, 20 innings

STEADY FREDDY:
Freddy Garcia retired all nine batters he faced in the Yankees' 5-4 exhibition win over the Braves yesterday, keeping pace with the other candidates for rotation spots.

STEADY FREDDY:
Freddy Garcia retired all nine batters he faced in the Yankees’ 5-4 exhibition win over the Braves yesterday, keeping pace with the other candidates for rotation spots. (Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. — You can do anything you want with statistics, get them to produce the oddest conclusions.

When it comes to spring training numbers for the candidates to be the fourth and fifth starters in the Yankees rotation, the stats suggest Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre are better pitchers than CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes.

And you thought Charlie Sheen’s goddesses were strange?

Garcia, who with Nova has been portrayed as a favorite in the competition, has worked five innings in two games, allowing no runs and two hits. So much for a history of not pitching well in spring training.

In two games, Colon has a 1.80 ERA after allowing one run and four hits in five innings and fanning five.

Nova has worked two games (one start) and given up three hits in five scoreless frames.

Mitre, who also has a chance to stick with the team as a long reliever, has appeared in three games (one start) and has not allowed a run in five innings.

That’s a combined 20 innings, one run, 14 hits, one walk and 14 strikeouts.

All the candidates insist the only thing they have to worry about is how they pitch. However, it is impossible for them to ignore what the others are doing.

“They are pitching good,” Garcia said of Colon, Nova and Mitre. “At the end of March hopefully I will be there and do what I do.”

Because he won 12 games and posted a 4.64 ERA in 28 games for for the White Sox last year with just an 85-mph fastball, the 34-year-old right-hander has been encouraged by gun readings of 88-89 mph.

“If I can live with 85, I can live with 89,” Garcia said. “Last year I was 85 to 86. My arm feels really good. [Added velocity] makes my changeup and slider better.”

According to a scout at yesterday’s 5-4 Yankees exhibition win over the Braves at Champion Stadium in which Garcia retired all nine batters he faced, Garcia was sharp and has the stomach to pitch in The Bronx.

“He needs a harder breaking ball to lefties, but his changeup and command are plus. As a result, he is sneaky,” the scout said. “He has a solid feel with Big Apple poise.”

The Yankees knew what they were getting when signing Garcia to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.5 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. The total package could reach $5.1 million via performance bonuses.

“That’s the way I have to pitch if I want to win the spot,” Garcia said. “In spring trainings before, I was working to get ready for the season. I was in the rotation, but I didn’t take nothing for granted. But I had my spot. This year I am making sure I am on the team.”

From the first day of camp manager Joe Girardi said a decision on the final two spots would not be a quick one. The way the quartet has performed won’t make it come any faster.

“We won’t make decisions till the end,” Girardi said. “We are going to take our time. Right now with the four guys there is no separation yet.”

What happens if the four arms stay this close?

Mitre can land in the bullpen. Nova is a possibility for a relief role, but could be sent to begin the season in Triple-A as a starter. If Colon and or Garcia does not make the roster, they would likely find work elsewhere if they continue to pitch like they have.

george.king@nypost.com