MLB

Colon fans seven in third audition for Yankees

TAMPA — Bartolo Colon gave up two runs in four innings against the Pirates last night but did very little to hurt his chances of earning a spot in the back of the Yankees’ rotation.

“I am being open-minded, it’s not fair to put people ahead of people,” Joe Girardi said. “Let it play out as we move along.”

Most impressive about Colon’s work in a 4-2 Yankees victory was seven strikeouts.

“He has movement now,” Girardi said of the veteran right-hander who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2009 due to arm trouble. “He used to throw 98 (mph). Now he has a very good two-seamer he can mix with a changeup.”

Of the four hurlers vying for two rotation spots, Colon is the only one who has given up a run this spring training. In nine innings, he has allowed three runs, eight hits, a walk and fanned 12.

“I am not worried at all about the other guys,’’ Colon said of Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Sergio Mitre. “That’s a decision for upstairs to make. I will do what I have to do to be ready.”

If Colon doesn’t win a rotation spot there is a chance he could land in long relief, although Mitre has more experience in that job.

*

Prospect Manuel Banuelos worked two scoreless innings, allowed two hits and fanned three. Ticketed for Trenton (Double-A), Banuelos has hurled five shutout innings in three games, allowed three hits and fanned eight.

PROSPECTS COUNTDOWN

*

Bernie Williams
arrived in camp yesterday and threw out the ceremonial first pitch last night. He is going to hang around for a few days to work with the outfielders.

*

Usually when there are two games at the same time in different towns, Girardi manages the home game. However, he is seriously considering traveling to Dunedin tomorrow to watch Nova pitch against the Blue Jays.

“He is one of the guys competing for the fourth spot,” Girardi said. “But I am not married to it yet.”

Phil Hughes
will face the Braves in Tampa.

*

Nothing is out of the question on March 10, but it’s not likely infielders Eduardo Nunez
and Ramiro Pena
will make the team together.

With Eric Chavez
a big favorite to land a back-up infield spot if his body doesn’t break down, the Yankees are looking for an infielder to play short in a pinch.

Pena and Nunez can do that, as well as play second and third.

“I don’t want to say that you wouldn’t want to take both, but going into camp we were looking at one middle and one corner infielder,” Girardi said.

Pena has more experience in the big leagues but Nunez has a better bat. He entered last night’s action batting .348 (8-for-23). Ronnie Belliard
was a candidate for a job but hasn’t played in a game yet due to a calf problem. . . . Yankees are likely to make their first cuts Sunday.

*

Outfielder Collin Curtis
is waiting on the results of an MRI exam to determine how serious a right (non-throwing) shoulder injury is.

“Hopefully [today] I will have a definite answer,” said Curtis, who suffered the injury diving for a ball Sunday.

Outfielder Greg Golson
hasn’t played since leaving Monday night’s game against the Orioles with a rib-cage injury.