MLB

New Yankee Capuano relieved to be back as a starting pitcher

The Red Sox’s trash is the Yankees treasure.

Less than a month after Boston released journeyman Chris Capuano, the Yankees are counting on the 35-year-old left-hander to help in their run to the postseason.

They are giving him the ball Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jays — less than two days after acquiring him from the Rockies for cash considerations.

Capuano spent the beginning of the season with the Red Sox in a somewhat unfamiliar role — coming out of the bullpen, something he had done just 29 times in his 10-year major league career before making 28 relief appearances for Boston.

“If you look at beginning of the year, he was really, really good [in relief]. And he’s probably used to being a starter more than a reliever,” manager Joe Girardi said. “That’s why we went and got him, to be a starter for us and obviously hopeful he’ll do good things.”

Capuano’s arrival will move Chase Whitley into the bullpen, where he will be used as a long man, Girardi said. Rookie Shane Greene will be pushed back a day and start Sunday. While Whitley’s last start was impressive — he tossed six innings of shutout ball against the Rangers on Tuesday — his previous four starts had been rocky.

“We’re going with a guy that’s a little bit more experienced,” Girardi said. “Doesn’t mean Chase won’t have any more starts for us.”

Capuano went 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 28 appearances — all out of the bullpen — with the Red Sox, before he was released July 1. Three days later, he signed a minor league deal with the Rockies, going 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

“I spent some time in the bullpen this year, enjoyed my time there, but it was really good the last [three] starts to get back into a familiar routine,” Capuano said. “I feel good and strong and ready to go.”

With four-fifths of the starting five the Yankees began the year with on the disabled list (two of them, CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, are out for the season) the Bombers needed additional arms to fortify their rotation.

They are hopeful Michael Pineda (teres major muscle strain) and Masahiro Tanaka (partially torn elbow ligament) can return at some point in August, but both remain questions marks. So is Capuano — who won 12 games with the Dodgers in 2012 while pitching to a 3.72 ERA — but at least he’s a healthy option.

Capuano grew up in Springfield, Mass., which he described as a town divided in half by Yankees and Red Sox fans. Getting close to home was one reason he signed with Boston.

Now he’ll be on the other side of the rivalry, even if Capuano admittedly rooted for the Red Sox growing up. His dad, Frank, is a Yankees fan, though. He’ll be in the stands on Saturday.

“To have the opportunity to play for both teams in one year is I think unique and really special,” Capuano said.

“There’s so much meaning that comes with being a Yankee, the storied franchise that it is,” Capuano added. “[It’s] just a privilege to be a part of it and put the pinstripes on.

“If you had told me 25 hours ago, I wouldn’t have believed you. My goal was to find an organization I could get back to starting with.”