New Yankees starter Javier Vazquez throws 35 pitches during 1st spring mound session

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New Yankees starter Vazquez has 1st mound session

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees right-hander Javier Vazquez threw 35 pitches during his first spring training bullpen session on Sunday.

Vazquez was acquired in an offseason trade with Atlanta to be the fourth starter behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

“The first time out, I feel OK,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez had pitched off a mound several times — the last being a week and a half ago — at home in Puerto Rico. After working 219 1-3 innings last season, the Yankees had originally planned to keep him off the mound until Wednesday.

“I wanted to get a feel for it again,” Vazquez said.

Jorge Posada caught Vazquez. The pair were Yankees’ teammates in 2004.

“Sure it (helps),” Vazquez said. “I’ve known Jorgie for a long while. We’ve kept in touch while I was away.”

Vazquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA over 32 starts last season.

“Not only is he a great pitcher, he’s a quality human being,” Pettitte said. “He’s going to be here for a long time this time, I think. We have a chance to have a great rotation.”

Vazquez started strong but struggled during the second half and wound up 14-10 during his one-year stint for the Yankees six years ago.

“Vazquez is more experienced than last time he was here,” Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. “He’s become a really good pitcher; a smarter pitcher. He doesn’t have the pressure on him this time that he did last time. I think he’s going to be great.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi called Vazquez a “tough competitor.”

“He’s going to be a big part of our rotation,” Girardi said. “He knows what he wants to do. Javy has shown that he can throw 200 innings and he can bounce back.”

NOTES: Yankees RHP Phil Hughes received a flag that was flown over the United States Capital on June 24, 2008, which was his 22nd birthday. Hughes doesn’t know who made the request for the flag through New Jersey congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. … Fifth starter candidates Hughes and Joba Chamberlain added curve balls during their second bullpen sessions.