His opponents believe Brian Cashman isn’t going to be active before the July 31 trading deadline. Others think the Yankees general manager is waiting until the last possible second to assess what is needed and then will make a deal.

“I always wait to make sure we don’t have the answers in front of us,’’ said Cashman, who didn’t make a trade last summer. “We have answers at every position and we got guys coming off the DL.’’

That would be CC Sabathia on Tuesday, Joba Chamberlain perhaps before the end of the month and possibly Brett Gardner at some point.

Cashman has given no indication he is interested in Zack Greinke or Cole Hamels if the Brewers or Phillies move their high-end starters. He also said he doesn’t “want to try and improve at the expense of a higher payroll and mortgaging the future.’’

Clubs have taken long looks at outfielders Mason Williams and Tyler Austin and catcher Gary Sanchez. All three were promoted recently from Single-A Charleston to Single-A Tampa.

Chamberlain will make a second rehab start tomorrow, pitching two innings for the Rookie League Gulf Coast Yankees. Chamberlain’s first outing was Tuesday in the Gulf Coast League, when he reached 97-mph.

***

According to Cashman, Gardner’s future won’t be decided until his injured right elbow holds up during rehab games.

“He is taking dry swings but not rehab-game ready,’’ Cashman said. “He’s aced the other stuff, two-for-two, but he has failed the rehab games twice.’’

***

Reliever David Aardsma, recovering from Tommy John surgery, was cleared to begin throwing again in two weeks after being examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum (who performed Aardsma’s surgery) and team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad Thursday in Baltimore. … Reliever David Phelps was moved from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

***

New Nets guard Joe Johnson will throw out the first pitch for Friday night’s opener of a three-game series against the Angels and coach Avery Johnson will join the Bleacher Creatures for the roll call.