MLB

Desperate Damon makes plea to be Yankees’ Granderson sub

SUPPLY & DAMON: Though the Yankees are screening four in-house candidates to be their temporary left fielder — including veteran Matt Diaz (bottom) — former Bomber Johnny Damon, a free agent, is offering his services on the cheap. (Neil Miller; Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

SARASOTA, Fla. — As the Yankees scour the schoolyard to find a fill-in for Curtis Granderson, Johnny Damon is off to the side offering his version of “Pick me!”

Granderson is expected to be sidelined for 10 weeks, until early May, after suffering a fractured right forearm when he was hit by a pitch Sunday. The Yankees are expected to look in-house for a fill-in left fielder, but the 39-year-old Damon remains a free agent pleading his case — emphasis on pleading.

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“I would play for the minimum [$490,000 per year, prorated over 180 days] for six weeks,” Damon told The Post last night. “If Granderson returns, I would leave. If there’s no room for me, I’m gone.”

Damon, who won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, is not expecting the Yankees to reach out following a three-year cold shoulder.

“I don’t think [they] will,” he said. “They’ve had plenty of opportunities since 2009, and it hasn’t happened. But if they call, I’m ready to go.”

GM Brian Cashman doesn’t plan on making that call.

“We are focusing on what we have in camp right now,” he said.

The Yankees’ search will center on veterans Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera, as well as neophytes Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte.

“You got to look at the guys within and try to get them as much playing time as you can and decide what you are going to do,’’ manager Joe Girardi said.

Damon said he would need three weeks to reach baseball shape. He hit 24 home runs and had 82 RBIs for the Yankees in 2009, but his outfield skills had deteriorated to the point where he was seen only as a DH. He played for the Tigers, Rays and Indians the past three years, getting released after posting a .222 batting average in 64 games in Cleveland last season.

If all four of the current contenders leave the Yankees pining for someone else, the more likely import remains Vernon Wells, who always is available in a trade. The Angels are willing to swallow much of the $42 million owed to Wells this year and next.

The Phillies offered a fringe prospect and to pay $4 million of the remaining salary, but the Angels wanted $10 million. The Yankees won’t go that high.

Girardi said the plan to replace Granderson — who will not require surgery, according to Cashman — could come in the form of a platoon. Rivera and Diaz have the advantage of experience: Rivera has played in 12 big-league seasons, Diaz in 10.

“They have a lot of experience and played on winning teams,” Girardi said of the right-handed hitters, who are working on minor league deals. “Juan has been an everyday player and Matt has been a platoon player his whole career. They know how to play.’’

What the Yankees know about Mesa and Almonte comes from within the organization. Mesa, 26, is possibly the best defensive outfielder in the system, and he had 23 homers and 67 RBIs in 121 games last season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mesa started last year a .232 minor league career hitter and batted .264. However, he fanned 118 times in a combined 458 at-bats.

“I just try to work hard and think about the moment I am playing,’’ said Mesa, who has minor league experience playing all three outfield positions.

Diaz, a career .324 hitter (306-for-945) against lefties, understands his status.

“One of the reasons they bring guys like me into camp is to add depth,’’ said Diaz, who had offseason right thumb surgery, his second procedure in two years to remove splinters from palm fronds lodged during an old gardening accident. “I am prepared to play against righties, lefties and switch-throwers. I would love it, but we need 43 home runs back. My son and I prayed for Grandy.’’

Rivera, a Yankee from 2001-03, is trying to block out from his mind the opportunity created by Granderson’s injury.

“I don’t think about that right now,’’ said Rivera, a career .274 hitter. “I don’t think about [starting in left field] right now. I think about making the team.’’

Almonte impressed the big league staff last spring, when he batted .286 in 11 games. The 23-year old switch-hitter batted .277 with 21 homers and 70 RBIs for Trenton. He has never played above Double-A.

Because Granderson is expected back in early May, the Yankees do not view his replacement as being the answer to a long-term question. Yet, injuries near the wrist are tricky and often affect a hitter after the bone has healed.

“We are not looking for a long-term solution,’’ Girardi explained. “If you find a long-term solution, what does that do to you once your guys are back?”

If Damon had his way, that would be his cue to pick up and leave again.

george.king@nypost.com