NEW YORK — It’s been 706 days since Luis Severino pitched in the majors for the Yankees.
He could be back as soon as Monday.
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Severino will be a bullpen option for the team the rest of the regular season after his two-inning, 35-pitch simulated game Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Severino last pitched for the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series in 2019.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What Boone said: “(We) view him as anything from an inning in some situations to possibly two and three inning scenarios that I think he’ll be able to handle..”
The latest: Severino faced Tyler Wade and Rougned Odor on Sunday, touching 96 mph. Pitching coach Matt Blake told reporters that the Yankees expect Severino’s velocity to tick up on a big-league mound. He added that the Yankees didn’t believe they would learn much more about Severino from putting him on a rehab assignment.
How Severino fits on the roster: The Yankees demoted starting pitcher Luis Gil on Saturday and replaced him with outfielder Estevan Florial on Sunday. They could put Severino into Florial’s spot on Monday or Tuesday.
How, specifically, will Severino be used? Blake said that the Yankees likely would give Severino a clean inning in his first appearance, and they wouldn’t throw him in back-to-back days until he gets used to the bullpen.
Remember, nothing is guaranteed: Severino needed Tommy John surgery in spring 2020. While on his first rehab assignment this year, he suffered a groin strain. When that healed, Severino felt shoulder tightness during his next rehab assignment. Severino has a long injury history. He’ll be trying to adapt to pitching in the majors again and to pitching in a new role.
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com.
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