BRADENTON, Fla. — Russell Martin is in no danger of losing a firm grip on the Yankees’ starting catcher’s job.
A guaranteed $4 million and close to five years of major-league experience are not going to be flushed due to a surgically repaired right knee that hasn’t allowed him to catch in any of the four exhibition games.
Yet, what Martin’s absence has done is provided backup candidates Francisco Cervelli and Jesus Montero opportunities to strut their talent in front of manager Joe Girardi.
And they have impressed with tools that are supposed to be secondary.
Cervelli is considered a better catcher than hitter, but in two games he is 3-for-5 with an RBI.
Montero is a lock to make a lot of money with the bat, but yesterday he threw out two Pirates attempting to steal second, drew the respect of Phil Hughes and David Robertson and had the scouts’ section buzzing with the improvement he has made from a year ago.
“For a guy who has his type of bat, I have a lot of respect for how hard he has worked to improve [defensively] from last year,” Hughes said after a 2-0 loss to the Pirates at McKechnie Field.
Robertson’s eyes widened when asked about Montero, who went 0-for-3 and is 1-for-6 in two games.
“I first saw him when I signed here and it’s amazing how much better he has gotten,” Robertson said. “He sets up good, blocks balls in the dirt and stays down. He looks good.”
Arm strength has never been a negative with the 21-year-old Montero. Footwork, balance, weight shift and release have required work.
All were aligned in the fourth inning. After Montero caught Chris Snyder at second on a full-count steal attempt that was more avoiding being the front end of a double play in the third, Montero unleashed a laser to get Alex Presley at second in the fourth.
“It was under two [seconds] for the second one,” Girardi said of Montero’s time getting the ball to second base. “The first one we didn’t get.”
Until the throws, Montero wasn’t noticed. He didn’t drop balls and went to the dirt quickly to block balls.
“He was really, really good,” Girardi said. “The first [throw] the guy was going on a 3-2 pitch down. They were two good throws.”
Girardi said he doesn’t know when Martin will be healthy enough to catch. The plan is for him to DH at some point today. He is close to returning and there is plenty of time for him to be ready for Opening Day.
So, what does it mean to Cervelli and Montero? Only a big league roster spot.
When camp opened Cervelli was considered a slight favorite for the backup role because he has one-plus seasons of big league experience. But Girardi said if a player can help a team win, then that player would go north.
The question facing Girardi is simple: If Montero gets to play twice a week, is that enough to keep his bat sharp and not allow the progress he has made behind the plate wilt?
Or would Montero benefit by returning to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and catch every day?
“I like Montero, I think he is going to be a big-time player,” a scout said. “I know he is big (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), but he will be fine. All he has to do is just keep on catching.”
george.king@nypost.com