TAMPA — Manny Banuelos has been through this before.
In spring training two years ago, there were hopes the young lefty might make a run at helping the Yankees during the season.
Instead, he wound up back at Triple-A, and after experiencing soreness in his left elbow, didn’t pitch after May, eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery in October.
So Banuelos, who will be 23 next month, isn’t looking too far ahead this spring.
“My year was 2012,” Banuelos said Saturday at Steinbrenner Field, where he is once again looking to crack the major league roster. “That was my big chance. But I feel like have a big chance now.”
It’s unclear where that chance might come, since the Yankees have needs in both the rotation and the bullpen.
Banuelos could compete for the final starting spot, but Michael Pineda, David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno all have some big-league experience. And they still have plenty of questions in the relief corps, although they do have southpaws Matt Thornton and Cesar Cabral.
After not feeling good for nearly two years — and spending most of the last year rehabbing at the Yankees minor league complex here — Banuelos won’t be too picky.
“I don’t mind [being in] the bullpen or starting, I just want to be with the team,” Banuelos said.
Before he gets to that, he has to pitch in some real games. He appeared in several simulated games in Tampa toward the end of last season and admitted though he felt good, it wasn’t enough to prove he was back.
“I feel like that, but I want to wait to pitch in a game first,” Banuelos said. “It’s been a long time.”
He’s been throwing 93-94 mph after occasionally hitting 96-97 prior to the injury. Banuelos hasn’t fully let loose yet to see if he can get back to those numbers.
“It feels completely ready,” Banuelos said of his elbow. “When I threw sim games, I felt a little scared to throw the ball, especially breaking balls.”
That’s not the case anymore.
“I don’t feel anything in my elbow,” Banuelos said. “I want to know about my velocity now, but I feel strong.”
He is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday then batting practice Wednesday. Even those small steps are ones he’s looking forward to taking.
“When I got hurt and had surgery, I thought my career was over,” Banuelos said. “You never know. I can’t wait to pitch again.”