Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. TAMPA Tyler Matzek looked like he as a non-roster invitee to break camp, but an injury will likely stand in the way of that at least to start the season. The lefty reliever is dealing with a moderate to more severe right oblique strain, manager Aaron Boone said Friday, which popped up after Matzeks first and only appearance in a Grapefruit League game so far this spring. Hes got a pretty good strain in Adarius Lemons Jersey there, but hes asymptomatic, which is kind of interesting, Boone said at Steinbrenner Field. So hes doing quite well. I think hes going to start throwing on Monday. And hes able to do quite a bit right now. Its going to be a few weeks probably. But feel like hes in a pretty good place physically considering hes got that. The good news is how good hes looked, so hopefully this is not something that derails him too long. But certainly going to impact the start of the season. Tyler Matzek throws during spring training. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Explore More The 34-year-old Matzek, just over two years removed from Tommy John surgery, threw a perfect inning against the Twins on Feb. 25 and felt great. He was driving home when he began to feel some tightne s in his side, but did not think it was anything major, so he continued to throw over the next three days. But Matzek was not comfortable going into another game with his side still bothering him, so he let the team know and got testing that revealed the strain. The diagnosis surprised Matzek, who signed a minor league deal with the Yankees just before camp opened. But despite feeling better than the MRI would suggest, he does not want to push through it too soon and cause something worse to happen. I feel really good; the [MRI] says that I shouldnt feel really good, said Matzek, who has still been able to throw plyo balls into a wall to keep his arm active. So its one of those weird things. I think the plan is just to be very cautious on it. It is March. Theres no point in doing something that would cause surgery or a longer period thing. Let it be a minor thing and just go with the punches and be healthy for a majority of the season. Austin Wells hit leadoff for his fifth straight game Friday, and for the second time this spring led off with a home run. He is beginning to emerge as a legitimate candidate to bat first during the regular season, though Boone is still considering a few options, most notably Jazz Chisholm Jr. Austin Wells rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff homer for the Yankees on March 7. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect I think hes going to be a guy in his career that is going to get on base, Boone said of Wells. Thats my No. 1 criteria for the leadoff spot. Not saying Im going to land on him either, its just something Im looking at right now. Clarke Schmidt, who could get into his first spring game next week, is lined up to start the sixth game of the regular season, Boone said. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The right-hander, who , will stay back in Tampa to face hitters on the off-day after Opening Day before rejoining the Yankees. Because of two early off-days, the Yankees can use Gerrit Cole to start Games 1 and 5 on normal rest before slotting Schmidt into the rotation. Marcus Stroman was much sharper Friday night than his last start, building his pitch count up to 50 while allowing only one run acro s three innings. The right-hander was pleased with his mechanics feeling better, which led to an improved sinker. Justin Watkins Jersey