TAMPA — Yankees GM Brian Cashman admits Joba Chamberlain has put on weight, but made sure not to criticize the reliever.

“He’s heavier,” Cashman said Wednesday. “I’ll leave it at that. I want to be careful how I say it. Let other teams get the back page. He is heavier.”

Cashman was asked if Chamberlain was out of shape.

“He is heavier. Leave it at that,” Cashman said.

Cashman, who has been making quite a few headlines lately, told The Post on Sunday that Chamberlain was not guaranteed a spot on the major-league roster out of spring training.