ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Didi Gregorius is excited that in less than 10 days he will be cleared to be the designated hitter in extended spring training games. Nevertheless, the Yankees shortstop, who is coming back from offseason Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, wants more.

“That’s one thing I am going to get on them [about] soon,’’ Gregorius said of playing the field.

All Gregorius has been told by general manager Brian Cashman is that he will begin being the DH on May 20.

Gregorius, who has been working out at the Yankees’ minor-league complex in Tampa, joined his big-league teammates for a round of infield practice at Tropicana Field. He showed significant arm strength playing catch with infield coach Carlos Mendoza and looked smooth fielding ground balls and throwing to first.

“[The arm] feels pretty good,’’ Gregorius said before the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Rays on Friday night. “Since I got to 135 [feet] throwing, no pain, nothing. That is what I want.’’

As for swinging the bat, Gregorius said he didn’t feel anything unusual while hitting.

Right-handed reliever Dellin Betances played catch for the third time this week at 60 feet, but will increase the distance, according to Boone.

“The next time he will push back, 75 [feet] and 90 and then 120,’’ Boone said. “And start thinking about getting on a mound and slowly build him up.’’

Betances opened the season on the injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder that caused inflammation.

In other pitchers’ injury news, James Paxton also played catch Friday.

“Hopefully all goes well there and it seems like he has responded well over these last few days and feeling pretty well,’’ Boone said of the left-handed starter, who is on the IL with an inflamed left knee. “[Friday] was the next step for him.’’