Kim Klement | USA TODAY Sports

Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

TAMPA — The Yankees still are a long way from finalizing their Opening Day roster even though March 29 is fast approaching.

Their biggest decision could be deciding between keeping 12 or 13 pitchers.

"I would say (13) is possible," manager Aaron Boone said. "Those are things being kicked around and it could be a fluid thing throughout the year as well."

If it’s 12 and they all stay healthy, we already know the dozen:

Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery are the starters, and the bullpen will be made up of Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Warren, Chasen Shreve and Chad Green.

But if the Yankees keep 13, the extra spot could go to a long reliever/emergency starter such as Domingo German or Luis Cessa, or a middle-relief guy such as Jonathan Holder, Ben Heller, Giovanny Gallegos or converted starter Cody Carroll.

German, Holder and Heller would be the favorites from a field of contenders that was at 10 as of Saturday morning. Also officially still in contention are J.P. Feyereisen, David Hale, Brady Lail and Wade LeBlanc.

“I think we’ve got a lot of guys in that mix,” Boone said. “German has been excellent. He’s obviously a starting pitcher, so we’re sensitive of that. Cessa is in the mix. Carroll has really opened eyes. Wade LeBlanc is a guy who has worn a lot of hats. He’s a guy that could fall into that kind of category.

“We feel like we have a lot of guys that could be that eighth pitcher for us right now. And we really feel like if we go down (to Triple-A), we have a guy that not only comes up to become the eighth guy or seventh guy, but he can step into a significant role.”

Here is more info on all 10 plus comments from all of them from recent interviews on how their spring is going, what they’re working on, etc.

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Cody Carroll, RHP

Age: 25 (26 on Oct. 15)

Acquired: 2015 draft, 22th round

2017 stats: Trenton (AA), 2-5, 2.66 ERA, 26 games, 5 saves, 47.1 IP, 36 hits, 15 runs, 14 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB 59 K. Tampa (high A), 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 13 games, 20 IP, 10 hits, 7 runs, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 30 K.

2019 spring stats: 3-0, 3.00 ERA, 5 games, 6 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K.

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Carroll on hearing he's opened Aaron Boone's eyes this spring: "It feels great coming from the skipper. That's awesome, for sure. I was just trying to come in here and show them what I've got. This is my first big-league camp, so just being here and being around everyone has been unbelievable."

Carroll on developing a splitter: "I've been working on it since the beginning of last season. Scott Aldred, our pitching coordinator, taught it to me. It wasn't really a pitch for me. I was a fastball-slider-change guy. So we got rid of the changeup and switched it to a split and that's really what I've been working on (last year) in the (Arizona) Fall League and coming into here. All offseason, too. It's been a big thing for me and now I'm using it a lot more. I'm still trying to get the feel a little bit. We've been tweaking it here and there."

Carroll on trying to copy Masahiro Tanaka's splitter: "Tanaka's splitter is unbelievable. It's probably one of the dirtiest pitches in baseball for sure. I haven't gotten to talk to him about it yet, but I watched him last year during the season trying to see what he does with it."

Carroll on his favorite spring training moment: "I got to face Manny Machado and Adam Jones (on Wednesday). That's probably the first two big guys that I've really faced. I got Machado to hit a little dribbler down third. He beat it out unfortunately, but it happens. Then I got Jones to flyout on a fastball away."

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Kim Klement | USA TODAY Sports

Luis Cessa, RHP

Age: 25 (26 on April 25)

Acquired: Traded to Yankees from Detroit with RHP Chad Green for LHP Justin Wilson on Dec 9, 2015.

2017 stats: Yankees, 0-3, 4.75 ERA, 10 games, 2 starts, 36 IP, 36 hits, 21 runs, 19 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 30 K. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 4-6, 3.45 ERA, 14 games, 13 starts, 78.1 IP, 75 hits, 37 runs, 30 ER, 7 HR, 26 BB, 67 K.

2018 spring stats: 1-0, 6.75 ERA, 3 starts, 5.1 IP, 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 6 K.

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Cessa on being lighter this year: "The Yankees said I needed to take off some weight, so I worked on my body all winter. Back home in Mexico, I went to a nutritionist and he told me I just need to change my food. I now check my food. That's most important. Now I eat more vegetables, but no bread. I lost 14 pounds. I'm now 208."

Cessa on his repertoire: "I throw a fastball, changeup, slider and curveball. I have really good command with my fastball – that's my best pitch - but I need to be more consistent with my slider."

Cessa on developing his slider: "Last year I got in trouble with my slider. I checked the videos and hitters a lot of time were hitting them on 0-2 or 1-2 counts. I couldn't finish them with my slider. A couple times it was hanging. So I've been working on that. I worked on it during the (Florida) Instructional League. I changed my release point. I've been trying to throw it a little more low so it isn't hanging. I need to finish it. The point of release is most important with it. That can be a good pitch when it's going good."

Cessa on 2018 goal: "I just want to pitch good enough this spring so I can be with the Yankees if something happens. I have to be ready. I came in here to spring training early. I came here on Jan. 20. Right now I feel really, really good. I want to finish the spring strong so good things can happen."

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J.P. Feyereisen, RHP

Age: 25 (26 on Feb. 7, 2019)

Acquired: Traded by Cleveland Indians to Yankees with OF Clint Frazier, RHP Ben Heller and LHP Justus Sheffield for LHP Andrew Miller on July 31, 2016.

2017 stats: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 2-3, 3.53 ERA, 24 games, 43.1 IP, 35 hits, 20 runs, 17 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 42 K. Trenton (AA), 0-0, 2.70 ERA, 13 games, 20 IP, 14 hits, 6 runs, 6 ER, 8 BB, 18 K.

2018 spring stats: 2-0, 3.00 ERA, 5 games, 6 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.

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Feyereisen on still being in big-league camp: "There are a lot of pitchers here. We're all competing for a spot. I haven't really thought about if I'm going to make it or not, but just being here is good just to show my face a little bit and get to pitch. It's still exciting hanging around with all the guys. It's a lot of fun."

Feyereisen on developing a changeup: "I've been working on my off-speed pitch a lot. The changeup has been a new pitch of mine this year. I started throwing it last year, but I didn't start using it until this spring. It's kind of been my offseason work. I've been throwing it quite a bit in the games this year. It's been my better second pitch between my changeup and slider. The key for me on the changeup is the deception. There are a lot of guys who have changeups that are only 3-4 mph from their fastball, but it looks the exact same. Just being confident with it along with that deception makes that pitch work."

Feyereisen on getting changeup tips: "Normally I was fastball-slider throughout my minor-league career and the changeup started last year with (Yankees minor league pitching coordinator) Scott Aldred showing me the changeup grip. I've been tinkering it from there. This spring, I've been asking (Yankees reliever) Tommy Kahnle about his changeup because he has the same pitches as I do. He throws a fastball, then tries to use his power changeup. He was showing me his grip and I've been tweaking mine around that. It's been working so far. I've been throwing it all spring and gotten good reactions from the hitters on our team facing them in live BP. It's just been good being able to throw it for strikes and use it in counts that I want. I'm gaining confidence with it."

Feyereisen on his best pitch: "My fastball's usually 93-95 (mph) during the season and I've been 93-97 this spring. Wheaties! Nah, it's just a full offseason to prep my body and prep my arm. Last year my arm was a little tired from pitching in the (Arizona) Fall League (in 2016) and then going into (2017) big-league camp."

Feyereisen on possibility of debuting in majors this year: "They went through a lot of relievers last year between Scranton and even a couple guys from Trenton. You always hope for that opportunity."

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Giovanny Gallegos, RHP

Age: 26 (27 on Aug. 14)

Acquired: Signed by Yankees as a non-drafted free agent out of Mexico on Jan. 6, 2011.

2017 stats: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 4-2, 2.08 ERA, 28 games, 5 saves, 2 blown saves, 43.1 IP, 28 hits, 12 runs, 10 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 69 K. Yankees, 0-1, 6.06, 13 games, 16.1 IP, 19 hits, 12 runs, 11 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 20 K.

2018 spring stats: 0-0, 5.06 ERA, 6 games, 5.1 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 6 BB, 9 K.

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Gallegos on being in mix for bullpen spot: "As you know, we have a lot of really good pitchers here, a lot of talented guys. If the possibility is there, I have to be ready for that. Physically, I feel very good. Mentally as well. It's just a matter of seeing what happens."

Gallegos on his spring training: "I've been working very hard this spring to command my pitches. That's the focus for me right now. Throw strikes. That's very important. You want to be able to attack hitters and get them out. That's what it's about."

Gallegos on learning from first big-league experience last season: "Coming up and having the ability to join the club was great for me. Every opportunity I get here makes me more mature and helps me. Just from watching baseball and facing big-league hitters that I admire, it gives you a boost in confidence."

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How much every Yankees player will make in 2018

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Steve Mitchell | USA TODAY Sports

Domingo German, RHP

Age: 25 (26 on Aug. 4)

Acquired: Traded by Miami Marlins to Yankees with RHP Nathan Eovaldi and RF Garrett Jones for 3B Martin Prado and RHP David Phelps on Dec. 19, 2014.

2017 stats: Yankees, 0-0, 2.84 ERA, 6 games, 12.2 IP, 11 hits, 5 runs, 4 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 15 K through Sept. 21. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 7-2, 2.83 ERA, 14 games, 13 starts, 76.1 IP, 59 hits, 26 runs, 24 ER, 5 HR, 22 BB, 81 K. Trenton (AA), 1-4, 3.00 ERA, 6 starts, 33 IP, 32 hits, 13 runs, 11 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 38 K.

2018 spring stats: 0-0, 0,84 ERA, 4 games, 2 starts, 10.2 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K.

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German on possibly being the Yankees' emergency starter: "As a team we want to have as much pitching as possible and here we are trying to do our jobs. Have a good showing so in the future in any way they need me, we're there to contribute. I'm here to give them some confidence in me."

German on improving: "Definitely, my fastball command is better this year compared to last year. My secondary pitches are better. The concentration in the game, that's something that I've worked hard on and (pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) has told me that I looked better concentrating. I'm also more aggressive at times."

German on how he's concentrating more: "As a young player, a big part of it is experience. Instead of giving up a hit and getting angry about that, you put that away right away and focus on the next batter. Focus on executing pitches to the next batter. It's a matter of staying in the game and staying within the plan of what you want to do. Turn the page over with that hitter and face the next one."

German on feeling pressure to standout: "I come here trying to follow the guidance of the coaching here and show them confidence. Give them some confidence so that in the future if they ever need me to come up and pitch, I'll be ready to do that."

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David Hale, RHP

Age: 30 (31 on Sept. 27)

Acquired: Signed minor-league contract on Jan. 31.

2017 stats: Oklahoma City (AAA), 2-4, 4.27 ERA, 9 starts, 52.2 IP, 64 hits, 30 runs, 25 ER, 4 HR, 7 BB, 39 K. Tulsa (AA), 3-0, 3.72 ERA, 6 games, 5 starts, 29 IP, 36 hits, 13 runs, 12 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 21 K.

2018 spring stats: 1-1, 3.52 ERA, 4 games, 7.2 IP, 13 hits, 4 runs, 3 ER, 6 BB, 7 K.

Hale on the Yankees possibly keeping 13 pitchers: "I think that's really cool. I don't think it changes anything that I do. I'll go out there and prepare myself to be a long guy or a starter. If they need a swing guy, I would love that. It would be awesome to put on the pinstripes."

Hale on his spring: "It's going good. I'm pleased. I'm tweaking a few things. I'm working on pitches that look like balls and become strikes ... like backdoor sinkers to a righty, backdoor sliders to a lefty. That's something that I haven't used too much in my career. I think that adds something else that the hitter has to respect."

Hale on the Dodgers having him spend the first half of 2017 in a weighted-ball program: "Going there, I started to get some velocity back after having five injuries in '15 and '16. It was all kinds of little leg things that shut me down, and a month on, month off, month on, month off. It was impossible to get into a routine. My velo bumped one or two mph in the program, which is pretty significant. I went from 90 to 92 mph. I don't know how much of that is credited to the weight-ball program versus being healthy. Probably both."

Hale on relying on his sinker: "I got (Orioles center fielder) Adam Jones to roll into a double play (on Wednesday). That was nice. Love those groundballs. I throw a sinker, slider and changeup, but I want early contact and I throw a lot of sinkers to get groundball outs."

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Steve Mitchell | USA TODAY Sports

Ben Heller, RHP

Age: 26 (27 on Aug. 5)

Acquired: Traded by Cleveland Indians to Yankees with OF Clint Frazier, RHP J.P. Feyereisen and LHP Justus Sheffield for LHP Andrew Miller on July 31, 2016.

2017 stats: Yankees (MLB), 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 6 games, 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K through Sept. 21. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 5-4, 2.88 ERA, 6 saves, 1 blown save, 41 games, 56.1 IP, 34 hits, 21 runs, 18 ER, 6 HR, 21 BB, 82 K.

2018 spring stats: 0-0, 2.00 ERA, 6 games, 1 save, 9 IP, 6 hits, 5 runs, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 12 K.

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Heller on the Yankees possibly keeping 13 pitchers: "It's tough not to think about that at all, but these last few years I've found out the hard way that playing the big guessing game never really ends well. If things go as you expect, and I feel like they rarely do, it kinds of sets you up for disappointment. I guess I've learned that in baseball you try to control the things that you can control, and for me that's going out and pitching the best I can. From there, I hope that things work out."

Heller on gaining first MLB experience last season: "Last September was really good for me. That was my first stretch of really having some consistent success. I've always known that I can succeed at the big-league level and I trust my stuff. I have the stuff to compete at that level. Having success last September was reassuring to me. It was good to go out there and show my teammates and the coaching staff and the front office what I'm capable of."

Heller on his spring training: "I've been just trying to stay consistent with everything. That's been the problem that's plagued me in the past. I'd have a few good outings and then maybe the game speeds up on me a little bit and things start to get out of control. So for me, it's just keeping a clean, good mindset and positive approach to every batter and trying to throw all my pitches for strikes. I know it sounds cliché, but when I'm able to mix in all three pitches in the zone, I usually do really well."

Heller on his mechanics: "They're sound when I keep my mental approach in check. By that, I mean sometimes the game can start to speed up and I'll think, 'I need to throw this one a little bit harder' or 'I need to make this slider a little nastier.' That's when my mechanics get away from me. I've been working a lot on that and (Yankees pitching coach) Larry Rothschild has worked with me a lot on having the same approach every pitch regardless of the situation and keeping that positive mindset."

Heller on his velocity: "In the past I think I've hit a hundred and I usually pitch in the mid-to-upper 90s, but I've been 93-95 this spring. I'm not really too concerned with that in the spring. There have been times where I kind of get caught up with velocity. I feel like it's tough to maintain results when I'm focused on velocity. Last year my velo was down a little bit and I think it was almost good for me to learn how to pitch and not focus so much on velo and actually execute pitches with my slider and changeup."

Heller on his slider: "That was the pitch that I worked on at times last year. I feel like it came a long way and I feel like that was the big difference between last year and 2016. I was getting more swings and misses with it and I was able to throw it for strikes for often."

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Jonathan Holder, RHP

Age: 24 (25 on June 9)

Acquired: 2014 draft, 6th round.

2017 stats: Yankees, 1-1, 3.89 ERA, 37 games, 39.1 IP, 45 hits, 17 runs, 17 ER, 5 HR, 8 BB, 40 K. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 1 save, 12 games, 16 IP, 15 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 21 K.

2018 spring stats: 0-0, 1.42 ERA, 5 games, 6.1 IP, 8 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

Holder on the Yankees possibly keeping 13 pitchers: "Obviously, you think about it, but I'm just here trying to compete and get better and learn some things."

Holder on his spring: "I feel it's going pretty good. I've made some strides in mechanics stuff ... stuff that needs to be weeded out before the season starts. I've been working on some timing stuff, putting some fluidity in my motion going forward. I've also been getting back to the basics of fastball command. I think it all revolves around fastball command, so I got back to locating that pitch. That's what I've really been harping on this spring ... that and locating my breaking balls."

Holder on his 2017 season: "I had a good first half and it's good to have that to fall back on. That confidence that I gained from that will help me go forward. When things didn't go well, a lot of times I was in the strike zone too much with two strikes. So I've been working on putting away hitters when I get to two strikes. Finish the hitter. I wasn't finishing as best as I could last year."

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Brady Lail, RHP

Age: 24 (25 on Aug. 9)

Acquired: 2012 draft, 18th round

2017 stats: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 6-5, 5.17 ERA, 26 games, 22 starts, 132.1 IP, 139 hits, 80 runs, 76 ER, 19 HR, 42 BB, 94 K. Trenton (AA), 1-0, 2.13 ERA, 2 starts, 12.2 IP, 12 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 6 K.

2018 spring stats: 1-0, 3.68 ERA, 5 games, 7.1 IP, 8 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 7 K.

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Lail on switching to reliever this year: "I feel like the last couple of years I've plateaued as a starter. Now I'm in a new role as a reliever and I'm really enjoying it and catching on really quick. They told me, 'Be a reliever,' and I'm excited. New opportunity. Everything is new. Routine, feel … everything."

Lail on his bullpen mentor: "Adam Warren's been helping me a lot. He's talked to me about the whole routine. He was a starter all through the minor leagues and I have been, too. He made it to the big leagues as a long-relief guy, and I feel like I fall into a role kind of like that. So I've been picking his brain as much I can. I feel like a little puppy following him around. He's one of my favorites around here for sure because he wants the best for everybody. He's been telling me about all the things that he had to adjust to going to the bullpen. My routine is similar to his. I'm catching on pretty quick. I appreciate everything he's been doing."

Lail on the Yankees possibly keeping 13 pitchers: "It's exciting for sure. I really haven't thought too much into it. I've just been enjoying the experience here and trying to clean up my game and compete with all the guys. Hearing that, it's making everybody want it more. You're going to have pitchers work a little harder and push each other. I would do anything to be here on this team. Anything."

Lail on his learning a slider: "I throw a two-seam fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. I've been trying to develop a slider for the last couple of years. I have it, but it's just not as consistent as my other pitches. When it's not working, it's not really having the slide. It's basically just spinning there. So I've got to make sure it has consistent action running off the plate or being able to command the bottom of the zone with it. With that slider, it's more of my out-pitch right now. I want a wipeout slider, and that's something that I've starting to get the hang of. Lately, it's been really good, so that's something I've been going with. The fastball and slider are the pitches that I want to get going so I can throw them in any count."

Lail on his fastball: "I have more confidence with it. My velo is kind of getting up there to 93-95, which is a surprise. It's right around there in the season. That shows that I worked hard in the offseason. Usually in spring training, I'm 89-91. Seeing that right now, I'm like, 'Wow, something much be clicking.'"

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Wade LeBlanc, LHP

Age: 33 (34 on Aug. 7)

Acquired: Signed minor-league contract on Jan. 17.

2017 stats: Pirates, 5-2, 4.50 ERA, 50 games, 68 IP, 64 hits, 35 runs, 34 ER, 10 HR, 17 BB, 54 K.

2018 spring stats: 0-1, 5.40 ERA, 6 games, 11.2 IP, 14 hits, 8 runs, 7 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 K.

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LeBlanc on being in contention for a spot as a reliever or sixth starter: "The Yankees are giving me a good look and that's all you can ask for. I'm trying to fall into that routine and get as many outs in spring training as I can to open some eyes and show them I'm still capable of pitching at the big-league level. For me, it's about mentally getting ready for the season and physically trying to get my mechanics ironed out. Get my release point and feel for my pitches and all that sort of stuff."

LeBlanc on his spring: "I'm trying to get the feel of the pitches to get back to the way it was when you're in midseason form. But that's everybody. My command has been good. I need good command because I don't throw hard, and that's one thing I've really been able to sharpen up over the last five or six years. At this point, it's getting the finish on the pitches … cutters, changeups, breaking balls. I need to get the finish and the feel to be able to repeat them over and over again."

LeBlanc on being a soft tosser: "One thing that's helping guys like me who throw 86-88 is so many teams are starting to look beyond the miles-per-hour number that pops up on the board. There are numbers like spin rate, late movement. There's perceived velocity. There's horizontal movement, vertical movement. They're starting to be able to quantify all of those things that I feel like I do bring to the table other than velocity. They're able to quantify all of those numbers that people aren't able to see just watching the games. What I rely on is movement between 30 feet and home plate, and for so many years I felt like I was bumping up against that radar gun. I don't get hit hard that often unless I miss over the plate. If I command my pitches, I don't get hit hard very often because there's late movement."

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Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.