Clint Frazier got the start in center for the Yankees on Thursday, his first game there in the majors.

Despite the lack of experience, manager Aaron Boone was confident Frazier was up to the task.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Boone said of Frazier in center.

Boone decided to rest the red-hot Aaron Hicks and give Brett Gardner and his balky right knee another day off against Seattle lefty James Paxton. Frazier, a righty hitter, was in the leadoff spot in the lineup, as well.

Frazier started 18 games in center with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He suffered a concussion during spring training when he hit his head on the fence in the outfield trying to make a catch.

“We’ve talked about his work when we’ve sent him down [to the minors],” Boone said. “One of the things we’ve really liked are the reports as far as his work — and not just on offense. It’s baserunning, defense, all the things that have contributed to him continuing to come back.”

Gardner hasn’t played since Saturday, but both he and Boone expect him to be able to play in Tampa Bay, despite the artificial turf at Tropicana Field. The three-game series starts Friday.

“I think he’s good to go,” Boone said of Gardner, who went through a full workout Wednesday and reported no problems. “We’ll talk about whether he’ll play all three games there or not.”

Gardner admitted, though, that he hasn’t dealt with knee issues before.

“I’m not worried about it,” Gardner said. “I’ve never really felt different [on the turf] in Toronto or Tampa. … I haven’t dealt with a knee thing like this, but I’m encouraged.”

A.J. Cole was placed on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck Thursday, with Luis Cessa taking his spot on the staff.

Boone said Cole, who pitched two innings Tuesday, felt the injury while playing catch Wednesday. Cessa has been on a rehab assignment, coming back from an oblique injury, and was scheduled to start for Double-A Trenton on Thursday night.

“We felt like we needed length,” Boone said.