Yankees News: Luis Severino Set For Rehab Starts

By Kenneth Teape | May 23, 2016

May 13, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees News: Luis Severino is set to take the mound for his first rehab start next Sunday since doing on the DL May 14th.

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Recent New York Yankees news regarding the status of injured starting pitcher Luis Severino is coming in positive recently. Severino, who has been on the disabled list since May 14th with a strained right triceps, is on pace to make his first rehab start next Sunday for one of the Yankees’ minor league affiliates.

While there has been no determination as to which level Severino will be pitching at, or how long the rehab stint will be, it is definitely a step in the right direction for the young right-handed starter.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Severino has progressed enough that he can continue onto the next step in his rehab process. Girardi said that Severino was able to throw from flat ground Saturday at the team’s minor league complex in Tampa Bay. Next up is a full bullpen session on Monday, which would be followed by the rehab start next Sunday with some more throwing in between.

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Girardi said, “Physically, he is doing pretty good,” in reference to Severino’s current status.

After bursting onto the scene last season as a rookie, Severino has struggled mightily in his second major league season. He has a 7.46 ERA through seven starts, compiling an 0-6 record in the process. He has allowed 49 hits and 10 walks in only 35 innings pitched, as was shellacked in his last start prior to landing on the DL, giving up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox.

The team has said the triceps injury has not been a contributing factor to Severino’s ineffectiveness this season, but it couldn’t have helped. Girardi said that Severino had no command against the White Sox, pointing that out as the reason for his struggles, not an injury.

Once Severino is ready to return to the major leagues, the question is will he have a spot? The Yankees starting rotation has begun to get things going since he went down, as C.C. Sabathia has locked down a spot with his last two starts, and Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi have taken steps in the right direction.

The player who replaced Severino, Ivan Nova, has been great in his absence. Nova first stepped into the rotation to replace Sabathia when he went down with injury and has delivered three strong starts. The Yankees have won all three of the games that Nova has started, as he has allowed one run in each start while upping his innings pitched each time.

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If Nova continues his strong performance on the mound, there will be an argument to be made that he should stick in the rotation instead of Severino. Severino will have to earn his spot back in the rotation, as the other five guys are beginning to get things on track with him sidelined and he has struggled throughout the whole season.

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