TAMPA -- Manager Aaron Boone announced that the Yankees will break camp with 16 pitchers and 12 positional players when they open the regular season against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

Marwin Gonzalez will be part of the three-man bench after hitting .375 (9-for-24) with three home runs and 10 RBIs this spring. However, his ability to play several positions in the field will be even more useful to the Yankees early in the season than his bat.

"Having Marwin's flexibility does allow us to give a guy a day [off] in those first 10 days as we build up the position players as well," Boone said.

Boone feels comfortable going with a short bench early in the season and believes it's necessary to protect the pitching staff as they continue to build up their arms.

"It's not much different than what we do a lot during the season at times," he said. "Obviously Marwin's versatility gives us pretty good coverage everywhere."

Gonzalez will be added to the 40-man roster pending a corresponding move before Thursday.

Right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Ron Marinaccio and left hander JP Sears will also be on the Opening Day roster.

Schmidt wins top spring rookie award
Schmidt was also announced on Tuesday as the winner of the 2022 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the most outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. The right-hander also won the award in '20.

Schmidt, 26, went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three appearances (two starts) this spring. He led all Yankees pitchers with 11 strikeouts and 9 1/3 innings pitched. Schmidt is a former first-round pick (16th overall) of the Yankees in the 2017 Draft.

Boone said that Schmidt could also be used in several roles this season.

"[Maybe] a day where he gives us some serious length," Boone said. "But there may be a scenario where he is in an inning-plus situation as well. You never know how the games unfold."

Boone suggested that Schmidt is stretched out enough to offer several innings of relief, if necessary.

"There could be a game where he's on and gives us 3-4 innings, we'll see," Boone said. "He's a guy that gets ready pretty good from the bullpen. He's built up pretty good and he could probably give us 70-75 pitches now. I feel like he's in a good spot to come help us."

Castro sharp in spring finale
Right-hander ?Miguel Castro?, who was acquired from the Mets on Sunday, struck out two in one inning against the Tigers in the Yankees' 5-3 loss on Tuesday.

Castro was traded to the Yankees for left-hander Joely Rodr¨ªguez. He went 3-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 69 appearances with the Mets last season, holding batters to a .189 average.