‘TAMPA — The official start of spring training moved closer to happening yesterday on a back field in front of empty bleachers and under a brilliant Florida sun.
That’s where Mariano Rivera threw batting practice for the first time this spring. Which means the future Hall of Famer is inching closer to getting into a game.
When that happens — he would like it to be Sunday but Joe Girardi said it would likely be Wednesday — spring training will include every Yankee.
“It was good, real good,” Rivera said of the 35-pitch outing that was witnessed by Yogi Berra, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, bench coach Tony Pena and caught by Jesus Montero. “Today there was more effort and I moved the ball around the zone, which was good.”
The trio of Justin Maxwell, Ronnie Belliard and Bradley Suttle didn’t make much solid contact.
Historically, Rivera eases into the spring because he needs roughly eight innings to be ready for the season. And since he doesn’t have a pair of gray (travel) pants hanging in the locker, Rivera works in home games or at the minor league complex.
“I don’t know, I will sit with Larry and make sure everything is ready,” Rivera said of his initial game work. “I would say Sunday [against the Twins] if it was up to me.”
It’s not.
“Baltimore [Wednesday] might make a little more sense,” Girardi said.
While questions about the rotation have dominated the Yankees’ camp — will A.J. Burnett bounce back and who are the No. 4 and 5 starters — the Yankees are confident the bullpen will be a strength.
“In 2009, the bullpen at the end was special with [Phil] Hughes, [Damaso] Marte coming back, [David] Robertson, Joba [Chamberlain] and Ace [Alfredo Aceves],” Girardi said. “This bullpen has a chance to be better.”
Robertson, Chamberlain and Rivera are the holdovers from the World Series-winning 2009 ’pen.
Rafael Soriano was given three years and $35 million to work the eighth after converting an AL-leading 45 of 48 save chances for the AL East-winning Rays a year ago. How he adjusts to pitching in non-save situations is worth watching because Soriano wasn’t wild about it at Tampa Bay.
Soriano made his spring debut in last night’s 4-2 win over the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field with a scoreless inning.
The 2009 bullpen didn’t have two lefties. Pedro Feliciano was signed to a two-year, $8 million contract and Boone Logan, who pitched well last year, is expected to be the second lefty.
“That was our plan going in,” Girardi said of carrying two lefties. “But everyone has to earn a spot.”
Chamberlain and Robertson give Girardi options from the sixth to the seventh, and each has pitched well in the early part of the exhibition schedule.
If Sergio Mitre doesn’t win a rotation spot and isn’t dealt, he is likely to be the long reliever. The Yankees told Bartolo Colon that if it doesn’t work out for him as a starter, they might use him in the ‘pen. Ivan Nova could work in relief, but Freddy Garcia is likely not a bullpen candidate.
“Everybody is throwing well. That’s the way you want it to be,” GM Brian Cashman said of the four candidates for the final two rotation spots who have allowed three runs in 24 innings. “You hope it continues.”
george.king@nypost.com
