Access the Yankees beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

TAMPA — A day later, Ben Rice still appears to have avoided anything serious after getting drilled on his left elbow.

The Yankees designated hitter admitted he was worried when he got nailed on his back elbow with a slider during Saturday’s game, but X-rays and a CT scan came back negative and by Sunday, he had seen some improvement, though he was out of the lineup against the Rays.

“Quite a bit better,” manager Aaron Boone said before a 4-0 win at Steinbrenner Field. “I think he’s in pretty good spirits after being a little concerned [Saturday]. I think the X-ray put his mind at ease a little bit that there’s no cracks in there or anything.

“But he was still pretty stiff and sore [Saturday], still a little bit today. But when I talked to him, he was smiling and felt like he was quite a bit better.”

Rice still had some swelling in his elbow on Sunday morning, so he was expected to get treatment throughout the day to help reduce it.

Boone planned on staying away from Rice during Sunday’s game — and did, with no obvious spot for him to pinch hit anyways — but it is possible that he returns during the upcoming series in Cleveland that begins Monday.

“Hopefully [it will] be something that’s not too long,” Boone said.

Rice said Saturday night he expected to be day to day.

Boone continued to voice his confidence in Devin Williams a day after the closer gave up a four-run lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander has a 9.00 ERA through his first nine appearances as a Yankee.

“The guy’s really good,” Boone said. “I know [Saturday] was rough, but you really break down the outing and it’s not like he got hit around. I understand the noise around it. Obviously a tough one for us. But at the end of the day, he’s really good at this. He’ll get through this. Just keep trying to get him in good spots. It’s a long, long season. For us to be at our best, he’s going to be a key figure for us.”

Clayton Beeter, who was slow-played in spring training as he came back from a shoulder injury, began a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Tampa and struck out all four batters he faced. The reliever sat between 95-98 mph with his fastball.

“Reports have been good with how he’s throwing,” Boone said. “The velocity’s in a good spot. He could definitely be a guy that could play a big role for us this year.”

Jonathan Loáisiga (elbow surgery) threw live batting practice on Sunday at the club’s player development complex. He is expected to throw one more session this week before beginning a rehab assignment, if all goes well.