TAMPA — David Phelps is the leading candidate to be the Yankees’ fifth starter. Or a long reliever. Or traded in order to add a piece to a questionable bullpen, or an infield that might not hit, catch or throw the ball.
In other words, the 27-year-old right-hander doesn’t know what will develop before the Yankees open the season April 1 in Houston.
Before Saturday’s rains pelted George M. Steinbrenner Field, Phelps threw a two-inning simulated game against minor leaguers Mason Williams and Jose Pirela on Field 2, in front of approximately 50 autograph seekers.
The effort didn’t decide Phelps’ fate, but it’s a step in the process the Notre Dame product will go through.
“I’ve been in the situation the last two spring trainings, and I would like to think I’m well prepared for it,’’ said Phelps, who has more big league starting experience (23 games) than close friend Adam Warren (three) and Vidal Nuno (three), and is also battling Michael Pineda, who has 28 starts but hasn’t pitched in the big leagues for two years due to shoulder surgery.
“The biggest thing for me is that my arm is healthy. I have to go out and do my job and let the pieces fall where they may. I feel if I go out and do my job, I’ll put myself in position. Obviously I want to start, but I’ll do what the team wants me to do.’’
Phelps was sidelined with a flexor muscle problem in his right forearm last July 4 to end a string of 12 straight starts, and he didn’t return until Sept. 15. His last four appearances were out of the bullpen.
“I don’t think it had a chance to heal when I rehabbed it the first time,” he said. “I finally got a chance to sit down and finally not do anything other than carry my daughter around. Once I started throwing again, it felt good.’’
Girardi, who could use Phelps to open the exhibition season Wednesday against the Pirates in Bradenton, is confident the flexor problem has vanished.
“There have been no issues this spring, but it’s something you have to watch,’’ Girardi said.
Then, as almost every conversation regarding Phelps does, it moved back to how Girardi is going to use him.
“Phelpsy is a guy we believe can help us in so many different ways,” said Girardi, without specifically saying where Phelps will be used. “He knows how to pitch and he has four pitches and he knows how to use them all and locate.
“He has done everything for us. You expect him to do something and he has thrown the ball well. I think he’s capable of doing whatever you ask him to do. I know there are a lot of things we have to evaluate this spring, and he’s a big part, trying to figure out where he fits in.’’
In 12 starts last year, Phelps went 5-4 with a 4.93 ERA. In 10 relief outings, he was 1-1 with an ERA of 5.14.
CC Sabathia remembers having to earn the fifth starter spot in 2001 with the Indians.
“It was my first year and Charlie [Manuel, then the Indians manager] told me if I pitched well I would make the team,’’ said Sabathia, who opened the season in the majors and went 17-5 with a 4.39 ERA to lay the foundation of developing into an ace. “It’s a tough thing to come in February and be ready to pitch, but I like to watch our young guys fight for a spot.’’
Starter? Reliever? Trade bait? For Phelps, the answer is more than a month away.