SARASOTA, Fla. — The Yankees’ already thin catching situation has taken another hit, as newly acquired Ben Rortvedt has been sidelined with an Grade 1 oblique strain, according to manager Aaron Boone.
The 24-year-old is still doing catching drills, but won’t hit for at least another five days, which figures to put his availability for Opening Day in question.
“Sure I’m concerned about it,’’ Boone said of Rortvedt’s readiness to play April 7 against the Red Sox in The Bronx. “The timeline’s not great there.”
Rortvedt was acquired from the Twins in the deal that also brought Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to The Bronx, in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela. Rortvedt has been praised for his defense, but has just 98 plate appearances in the majors.
The lefty-swinging Rortvedt is expected to split time behind the plate with Kyle Higashioka, who got his first action of the spring on Saturday.
“I don’t think it’ll be too long,’’ Boone said of Rortvedt’s absence. “We’ll see how the next few days go,’’ Boone said after the Yankees tied the Orioles, 3-3, on Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium.
“It’s been lingering for a few weeks. … Hope it doesn’t derail him too much.”
Higashioka is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, with Rob Brantly and David Freitas — who homered Saturday — among non-roster invitees in camp who could be added.
DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks were among the other regulars to make the trip to get their first starts of the spring.
LeMahieu played second base and went hitless in a pair of at-bats while Hicks, who has trimmed down from recent seasons, started in center and drew a walk in his third plate appearance. Hicks has reported no issues with his surgically repaired wrist after missing the bulk of last year after tearing the sheath in his left wrist.
He was healthy enough to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic during the offseason, when he was able to test the wrist while hitting, sliding and playing the field.
After Anthony Volpe got some time at shortstop on Friday, one of the Yankees’ other top prospects, Oswald Peraza, played there Saturday.
“I remember bringing him over [to major league camp] a couple years ago,’’ Boone said. “Maybe some of the focus was on a couple other guys and I remember thinking, ‘They need to be focusing on this guy.’”
Peraza figures to start the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with Volpe at Double-A Somerset. It’s not out of the question Peraza could play a role in The Bronx during the latter part of the season.
“He’s got a good swing and some pop in his bat,” Boone said. “He’s a really good athlete and the ability to play in the middle of the diamond. … He’s got exciting attributes.”
While the Yankees are bringing their starting pitchers along slowly, right-hander Clay Holmes pitched an inning Saturday and picked up where he left off last season, striking out two in a scoreless inning.