If your biggest pitching worry revolves around a No. 5 starter, life must be good.
Welcome to Joe Girardi’s world.
With CC Sabathia, A. J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte mostly on cruise control since the All-Star break and the bullpen in lockdown mode, the manager would love to take the final step and get Sergio Mitre going.
PETTITTE PITCHING LIKE OLD SELF
But if the veteran right-hander falters, an insurance policy is in place: Chad Gaudin, whom the Yankees acquired in a waiver deal with San Diego on Thursday, arrived before last night’s 5-2 victory over the Red Sox.
Mitre is slated to start against Toronto tonight, possibly a last chance to show he belongs here after four unspectacular outings.
“I have a lot of confidence in [Mitre] that he’s going to get the job done,” Girardi said. “We don’t have any plan to change our rotation.”
But plans can change fast. Gaudin, a 26-year-old right-hander, was 4-10 with a 5.13 ERA for the Padres — not exactly Hall of Fame numbers, but much better than Mitre’s 7.50 ERA, albeit in a different league.
Gaudin has pitched for the Rays, Blue Jays, Athletics, Cubs and Padres since breaking into the big leagues in 2003.
“It’s kind of ironic, because last year I got traded to a first-place team, the Cubs,” Gaudin said. “So it’s kind of the same situation. Go out there and give my best shot and try to help us win.”
Gaudin was used almost exclusively in relief for the Athletics and Cubs in 2008, but 19 of his 20 appearances with the Padres this season came as a starter.
Mitre’s problem has been length. The right-hander has pitched into the sixth inning only once since his July 21 arrival, but the Yankees have won three of his four starts.
mpuma@nypost.com