Yankees starting pitcher Corey Kluber delivers during the first inning...

Yankees starting pitcher Corey Kluber delivers during the first inning of a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., Sunday, March 28, 2021.  Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Corey Kluber’s final outing of spring training looked fairly similar to his first.

Not in terms of results — those don’t matter at this time of year for veteran pitchers such as Kluber — but in terms of health.

Indeed, the righthander — who came into camp with a slew of questions about his physical health after tearing a shoulder muscle and pitching only one inning last season — departs with those concerns answered, at least for the moment.

"I feel like, as far as the build-up and stuff, I think I'm kind of right where we need to be," said Kluber, who threw 73 pitches (39 strikes) in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs, three hits and four walks, striking out five.

The lack of command didn’t bother Kluber, or those charged with scouting the Yankees from other clubs.

Said one rival talent evaluator: "Getting his work in. He’s got nothing to prove. Actually thought the stuff was pretty good, even with [the walks]. Light comes on for real [Saturday]. Everything this spring [says] he’s ready."

Kluber, who posted a 2.77 ERA and struck out 14 in 13 innings in spring training, allowing 10 hits and seven walks, will make his regular-season debut Saturday against the Blue Jays at the Stadium.

With the Yankees nearing the final days of spring training, Yankees beat writer Erik Boland broke down the final spring training appearance for new Yankees starting pitcher Corey Kluber on Sunday, March 28, 2021.  Credit: Newsday / Erik Boland/Erik Boland

"I still expected to feel the way that I do now," Kluber said of the uncertainty created by the injuries suffered the last two years. "That being said, I'm excited to get to the regular season now. The progression in spring has been good, and so now for me, my next one is going to be one that counts. It's exciting, and I'm looking forward to it."

Boone, who said early in spring training that he had "high expectations" for Kluber, indicated that he more than met them.

"When you think of Corey Kluber, or when I do, and when I think of him at his best, I think of just the precise nature in which he does things, the elite command and the movement on his pitches," Boone said before the game. "It’s a really sharp, tight, late breaking ball when it's at its best, it's an elite cutter, it's two-seam [fastball] off the cutter, so he gets pitches going in different directions that are coming out of the same slot. And when he's at his best, he's kind of masterful and precise and really special command with those pitches. And we've seen all that flash this spring."

Tauchman banged up

Mike Tauchman, who fouled a ball off his right calf/shin area in the second inning and stayed in the game after being looked at by Boone and a trainer, played leftfield in the bottom half of the inning but was replaced in the bottom of the third by Ryan LeMarre.

"Just icing that," Boone said after the game. "So wanted to get him out of there. Didn't want it to swell up too much, so he'll get some treatment on it. No X-rays as of now. We'll see how he is in the morning."

Nelson good again

Righty Nick Nelson further solidified the likelihood of leaving camp in a bullpen role for the Yankees, allowing one hit and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings. Nelson, 25, has allowed one run, six hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts in 10 innings.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME