LAKELAND, Fla. — As the Yankees held their breath for Justin Wilson’s MRI exam on Tuesday afternoon, one of the relievers who could step up in his potential absence reinforced his value.

Nick Nelson may have already staked a claim to a bullpen spot even before Wilson exited Monday’s game with left shoulder tightness, but he didn’t hurt his case Tuesday against the Tigers. He delivered more than three outs again, this time striking out three over 2 ¹/₃ innings at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The right-handed Nelson gave up his first run of the spring — on a triple down the right-field line that came around to score on a double play — but otherwise was sharp, flashing a 97 mph fastball and the strong changeup that has become his calling card.

“Obviously he’s got great stuff,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game. “He’s thrown the ball really well and he’s a guy that’s pitching with a lot of confidence, rightfully so. As a result, we have a lot of confidence in him right now. I’m excited about the impact he can have on our club.”

Depending on the severity of Wilson’s injury — he had an MRI exam at 2 p.m. and the results were not immediately made public — the Yankees could enter the season without two high-leverage lefty relievers. Zack Britton is expected to be out until June after having a bone chip removed from his elbow.

But Boone indicated he wouldn’t necessarily need another lefty in the bullpen — aside from closer Aroldis Chapman — should Wilson miss time. The Yankees don’t have another left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster, though non-roster invites Lucas Luetge and Tyler Lyons are lefties who have both had strong camps.

Tyler Wade’s biggest case for his spot on the 26-man roster is his ability to play backup shortstop, but his bat has started to come around recently. He went 2-for-4 Tuesday for the second straight day — laying down a bunt single and lining another to center field while also drawing a walk.

“Every at-bat he had today was really strong,” Boone said.

Wade played six innings at second base and then went to right field for the final three frames. He has made 32 MLB appearances in the outfield, most recently in 2019.

Before the game, Boone had said that he was comfortable with third baseman Gio Urshela filling in at shortstop “in a one-off,” but not much more than that, which would point to Wade’s importance on the roster.

“I know Gio can do it in a pinch and slide over, but I don’t feel like I would want to move Gio over in a long-term situation or even a multiple-day situation, especially taking him as special as he is off of third,” Boone said.