CLEARWATER, Fla. -- To be clear, the Yankees still consider Aroldis Chapman to be their closer. But manager Aaron Boone is toying with using the left-hander occasionally in the eighth inning, with hopes of keeping him sharp during those multi-day droughts when save opportunities are not present.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently discussed the plan with Chapman, explaining how it could help avoid bouts of inconsistency like one Chapman experienced last season. Chapman tossed a scoreless fourth inning in the Yanks’ 6-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Phillies on Friday at BayCare Ballpark.

“They spoke to me about it,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “They told me there are going to be some situations where I might get into the game in the eighth, depending. For me, at the end of the day, I’m here to pitch. Whatever works.”

Friday’s outing marked Chapman’s spring debut, a hitless 17-pitch effort in which he issued a walk and struck out two, including fanning Bryce Harper on a 97.8 mph heater. Chapman averaged 96.8 mph with his fastball, also throwing seven sliders and one splitter.

“It felt good to be out there,” Chapman said. “It was a good outing. It’s what I was expecting out there today.”

Boone said that he plans to alert Chapman about possible eighth-inning entrances ahead of time, instructing him to be ready to pitch earlier on certain days.

“We think it’s something that’s going to serve him well, and certainly serve our staff as a whole,” Boone said. “We’ll try and overcommunicate. Hopefully it’ll provide a little more consistency with when he pitches, hopefully leading to him being more in tune, more consistent and fluid.”

Sevy stretch
Luis Severino had a bumpy outing on Friday, knocked for three runs and four hits over 1 2/3 innings while issuing four walks. Severino said that he needs to correct some mechanical issues throwing from the stretch position.

“From the windup, it was really good,” Severino said. “When I got to the stretch, I couldn’t get in the rhythm, throwing a lot of balls. I didn’t command my fastball or any of my pitches.”

Asked if he saw the outing as a step backwards, Severino indicated that he continues to be encouraged by his health: “Every time I can go out there and play catch tomorrow, that’s forward. I feel happy every time I can get on the mound.”

Catcher Kyle Higashioka said that Severino’s stuff appeared nastier than in his first outing.

“Once he gets a little better feel for the zone, he’s going to be rolling,” Higashioka said. “I have all the confidence in the world that he’s going to be right where he needs by Opening Day.”

Gettin’ Higgy wit’ it
Higashioka homered twice in Friday’s contest, cracking a two-run homer in the second inning off Kyle Gibson and adding a solo shot in the sixth off Brad Hand. That helped to atone for what the catcher described as a “sloppy” day behind the plate, including a passed ball.

“That’s definitely what I’ll be working on tomorrow,” Higashioka said.

Old-Timers’ Day returns
The Yankees announced their 2022 promotional schedule on Friday, including the return of Old-Timers’ Day, which will be held on July 30 following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The team said that alumni attendees will be announced at the start of the summer. As previously announced, Paul O’Neill Day will be celebrated on Aug. 21.

Notable promotions include the Yankees’ first bobblehead with sound, featuring broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman (Aug. 19), plus bobbleheads depicting Aaron Judge (June 3), Gerrit Cole (Sept. 30), Elston Howard (April 14) and Andy Pettitte (May 20). A complete list of dates, items and distribution details for 2022 Yankees promotions can be found at yankees.com/promotions.