TAMPA — Justin Wilson began throwing again Saturday after being shut down with shoulder tightness following his removal from an outing on Monday.
“I got all the way to 90 feet and felt really normal,’’ said Wilson, who added he was doing about “75-80 percent” of his program.
Wilson’s status for Opening Day remains in doubt. He is scheduled to play catch again Sunday and throw off a mound Monday.
“I’m not sure it’s set in stone either way,’’ Wilson said. “I know they’ve got a few things they want to see on their checklist.”
But Wilson said he felt “great” after getting treatment on the shoulder, with the tightness coming in the back of the shoulder, near the rotator cuff.
“Every time I finished a pitch [Monday], it wouldn’t necessarily grab, but I had discomfort in there,’’ said Wilson, who summoned the training staff following the 20th pitch of Monday’s outing. “I didn’t want to hurt something else trying to guard the shoulder. It clearly wasn’t right.”
The Yankees bullpen already suffered a blow this spring with the loss of Zack Britton, likely until at least June, following surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow.
Robinson Chirinos and Derek Dietrich were both released from their minor league deals Saturday. Chirinos, brought in for catching depth, has been out since fracturing his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch earlier this month. Dietrich was competing for a utility role. The Yankees liked his lefty bat, but Dietrich struggled at the plate.
Asked if the moves ensured Tyler Wade was in line for a spot on the roster, though, Aaron Boone said: “We’ll see. I wouldn’t say, necessarily. There could be more things in play still. You never know.”
The Yankees also placed right-hander Clarke Schmidt on the 60-day injured list. Schmidt has been shut down since last month with an elbow strain, and though Boone said again Saturday the 24-year-old is close to resuming throwing, he’s still experiencing symptoms and will need at least six-to-eight weeks once he does begin his comeback.
Jameson Taillon threw live batting practice to stay on schedule and Boone said it went well.
