TAMPA — No retreat.
With a day to think about what he said in response to Yankees club president Randy Levine saying Saturday he was used by his agents to change the arbitration market, Dellin Betances didn’t take anything back.
Most surprising was Betances hinting that he has to think about taking care of himself when it comes to working multiple innings.
“I don’t regret anything I said [Saturday]. We’ll see what happens,’’ Betances said following the Yankees’ first full-squad workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Sunday. “You got to be smarter about things.’’
Betances, who lost at the arbitration table Friday in St. Petersburg, will be paid $3 million for this coming season and will be the highest paid first-time arbitration eligible setup man. He was seeking $5 million.
Tony Clark, the executive director of the Players Association, reportedly called Levine’s response “unprofessional” and said it should not have happened the way it did.
Betances, the mild-mannered product of New York City and an All-Star the past three seasons, didn’t shy away from saying the situation bothered him 24 hours after landing on the front and back pages of The Post.
“I’m not going to say today is a different day,’’ Betances said. “I was glad I was able to come out here and get some work done and take some stress off your mind.’’
Asked if he needed to speak to Levine, Betances said he didn’t.
“I don’t feel I need to speak to him, I don’t know how [the Yankees] feel,’’ Betances said. “I’m just going to try and prepare for the season and help the team as much as I can.’’
Betances said he was pleased with the support he has received from family, friends and teammates.
“I talked to a lot of guys, a lot of people called and texted me,’’ Betances said. “They wanted to make sure I’m good and focused on what I need to do, which I am, and put everything behind me. I’m in a good mindset. Nobody has more confidence in myself than myself. I feel good in that area. I don’t regret anything I said. I had to get it off my chest and put it behind me. I am back with the guys, practicing and trying to get ready for the [World Baseball Classic].’’
Betances stayed out of camp with the Yankees’ blessing until after the arbitration hearing and he will leave March 5 to work out in Bradenton, Fla., with the Dominican Republic team ahead of its March 9 opening game in Miami against Canada.
And depending how deep the Dominican Republic goes in the tournament, Betances could be away from the Yankees until after March 22, the day of the finals.
Betances, who worked out in the Dominican this winter and faced hitters, talked with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Sunday to map out a plan.
“I’ll probably throw BP Wednesday and try to get in a game so I’ll be in a game earlier than I was last year,’’ Betances said. “But I’ve already faced hitters.’’
Manager Joe Girardi said he doesn’t have a fear Betances will be affected by Saturday’s back-and-forth with Levine.
“It just happened [Saturday] and everything is fresh in his mind. This kid is a fierce competitor and a great teammate,’’ Girardi said of the right-hander, who has worked 247 innings in 217 games in the past three seasons. “This kid has always given us everything he has. I think he’ll continue to do that. I’m not really concerned about that. Sometimes you get in certain situations and it’s fresh. You have to sort through your emotions. He’ll do that [and] he’ll be just fine.’’