YANKEE NOTES

SARASOTA – While the Yankees’ search for a sixth infielder continued yesterday, No. 5 gloveman Luis Sojo was at a doctor’s office having a bothersome back examined.

“It’s been hurting a while,” Sojo told The Post. “But today I felt the pain in my muscle in my leg.”

If Sojo’s problem is serious, the Yankees are in a bind because he is the backup at all four infield positions. And since they haven’t been able to land a sixth infielder who could play first and third or serve as a late-game pinch runner, it puts them in a bind if Sojo has to miss any length of time.

Clay Bellinger, a jack-of-all-trades player with no major league experience, could help fill the void. He has a chance to make the team if third-string catcher Mike Figga is traded.

Bellinger, a 30-year-old non-roster invitee, hit .224 for Columbus (Triple-A) last year. He played all nine positions in a game on Sept. 9.

D’Angelo Jimenez, who will play at Columbus (Triple-A), is another choice to fill in.

“Jimenez can do the things Sojo can do,” minor league head Mark Newman said of the 21-year-old shortstop/second baseman. “He is a switch-hitter who runs better. He can play and has no fear.”

Not wanting to allow Roger Clemens to face an AL Division rival two times in the same spring, the Yankees will throw Clemens in a Triple-A game today in Clearwater against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre instead of sending him to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays.

The Yankees will take a look at the Hideo Nomo situation, but don’t expect them to show that much interest in the right-hander who cleared waivers yesterday.

The Mariners and Angels are believed to be interested in the former Dodger and Met.

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Don Zimmer was told by his doctor that the results of an esophagus biopsy taken last Thursday would be available at 4 o’clock yesterday. But Zimmer’s wife, Jean, couldn’t wait that long and phoned the doctor yesterday morning. She then called Ed Smith Stadium to tell her husband everything was fine.