The Yankees have played 25 games so far this season, but J.A. Happ has only appeared in three of them.

Why is that? Happ believes the reason involves his $17 million vesting option for 2021.

For that option to kick in, he needs to pitch at least 62 IP or make 10 starts in this shortened season to guarantee he pitches at that salary next season with the Yanks. In a 162-game campaign, it would've been 27 starts or more, which the Yankees could've maneuver around easier.

"It actually doesn't take too much to figure out sort of what could be going on," Happ told reporters prior to the Yankees' game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

With the Yankees playing five games in three days with the Mets later this week, Happ should get another start. But the Yankees will be a little more than halfway through their games for the regular season, and they will likely be playing in October if all goes according to plan as well. That being Happ's fourth start means six more and he's set for next season in the Bronx.

Also, James Paxton just hit the IL with left forearm inflammation, taking away another starter from the rotation. So that leaves Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka as the No. 1 and 2 starters followed by Happ and Jordan Montgomery. Would Aaron Boone rather use openers or spot starters from the Alternate Training Site just to limit Happ?

Last season, Happ didn't make the postseason rotation, as Boone went with Luis Severino, Paxton, Tanaka and an opener to throw a bullpen game in Game 4. With a 6.39 ERA at the moment (12.2 IP, 9 ER, 10 H), Happ's chances don't bode well at the moment, but he wants to show the Yankees what he is capable of.

"I can help our team," he said. "I'd like to be out there every five days."

The Yankees should be in the market for starting pitching once the season is up, with Paxton and Tanaka both set to hit free agency. Having $17 million committed to a 38-year-old Happ that hasn't produced well would be a blunder for Cashman.

We'll see how the rest of the season plays out for the veteran, but it does look like the Yankees are strategically giving him the ball with an offseason purpose in mind.

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