When Jorge Posada reports to spring training in two weeks, he plans on having a catcher’s mitt with him.
The Yankees veteran sounded conflicted about his new role as the team’s everyday designated hitter after more than a decade as the team’s starting catcher. Though saying he is coming to spring training ready to DH, he also bristled at the idea that his days behind the plate are finished.
“I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch this year,” Posada said in his first public comments since the move was made. “I’ll DH and then they’re going to want me to catch one of those days. I’m keeping an open mind. I would love to catch. I’m training like I always do.”
Posada was the special guest at the Bernie Williams Ninth Annual Hillside Food Outreach Dinner and Auction in New Rochelle.
Posada, 39, said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman came to him in November and told him that if top prospect Jesus Montero performed well in spring training that Posada would be the DH. The team then signed Russell Martin in December to be the starting catcher. The backup will be either Montero, Francisco Cervelli or Austin Romine, leaving Posada as the everyday DH.
“I’m coming to spring training as a DH,” Posada said. “I don’t know if I’m going to catch in spring training. I have no idea, to tell you the truth.”
Posada, who is in the final year of his contract, spoke to reporters for about 10 minutes last night. Initially, he said he accepted the team’s decision, but later sounded as if he still really wants to be behind the plate.
“It is what it is,” he said. “I try to help out the team and if that’s going to help out the team and that’s what they want I’m OK with it. It’s going to be tough during the season to see tough games behind the plate. It’s going to happen, obviously. Other than that, if we’re doing well and the team is doing well, it’s going to be a little bit easier.”
The veteran member of the Core Four underwent surgery on his left knee in November, but said he is now 100 percent. Starting tomorrow, he will work for three days with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long in Miami to get a jump on spring training.
While Posada is working on his bat, he also will have his catching gear when he shows up in Tampa.
“I have to keep it broken in just in case,” he said.
brian.costello@nypost.com