TAMPA — For the second straight day an elite Yankees starter threw in the bullpen hours before the other pitchers

Tuesday, it was A.J. Burnett getting individual attention of pitching coach Larry Rothschild in an 8:30 a.m. session. Wednesday, Phil Hughes threw 40 pitches with Rothschild watching at the same hour.

“He likes the early work for the individual attention,’’ Hughes said. “I like the early stuff, too.’’

Hughes, who was working off a mound before camp opened Tuesday, threw fastballs and off-speed pitches to catcher Kyle Higashioka.

Since CC Sabathia threw a bullpen Tuesday, his next outing is likely to be Thursday. Sabathia threw with the regular group Tuesday but could fall in line with the early schedule.