Aaron Boone reiterated Wednesday the Yankees have yet to determine how they will use their rotation during the playoffs.
But they swapped the scheduled days for J.A. Happ and Masahiro Tanaka’s outings, with Tanaka now going on Thursday and Happ slated to go on Friday.
Boone said it was not an indication Happ had a setback with his left biceps tendinitis and Happ echoed that, saying he was OK and could have pitched Thursday.
The Yankees, who are one win from clinching the AL East, should be able to set up their playoff rotation however they want between now and the start of the ALDS on Oct. 4.
Boone indicated all starters were in play to start games in the playoffs and Tanaka said he was ready for whatever role he’s put in during October.
“We haven’t had any deep discussions about pitching in the playoffs,’’ Tanaka said through an interpreter. “Whatever they tell me, I’m gonna go out and do that.”
Tanaka pointed to having pitched out of the bullpen in international tournaments like the WBC and the Olympics, as well as during his professional career in Japan. But he never has done it in the majors.
“I’m not concerned about that,’’ Tanaka said before the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Angels on Wednesday night at the Stadium. “It’s not like I don’t know anything about it.”