Oct 8, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) reacts after being relieved in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the 2018 ALDS playoff baseball series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
With the New York Yankees placing ace, Luis Severino, on the 60-day injured list, it forces the other starters to step up in his absence. Last season, J.A. Happ finished 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA for the Bombers, this season he’s sitting at a putrid 1-2 record with a 4.68 ERA.
However, youngster, Domingo German, has dominated with a 5-1 record and a 2.56 ERA. After a decent 2018 season, optimism was justified for the 26-year-old. His high fly-ball rate posed a serious concern, but an elevated strikeout percentage drew excitement.
This season, he’s given up just 18 hits in six games, two of which have been homers. He has already picked up 32 strikeouts and is on pace for 128 if he plays in 24 games. That’s a realistic number given Happ played in 30 last season. He could theoretically put up 160 strikeouts in that game-frame.
Severino had suffered a setback in his rehab from an inflamed rotator cuff. It “didn’t feel great” as he was engaging in a long toss.
His expected return time will now certainly be pushed back a few weeks – it was anticipated that he might be able to make a mid-May return, but it’s now looking more like June.
On April 10th, Severino was set on a throwing restriction of 6 weeks. The rotation now looks like this (out of order) – CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, J.A. Happ, and Domingo German.
This post was published on 2019-05-01 06:00