Yankees lose Luis Severino but reinstate relief pitcher, adding bullpen support

The New York Yankees received some mixed news on Thursday afternoon. They will be losing a top starter, Luis Severino, for a while, but they are also reinstating top-tier reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, fully recovered from some right shoulder inflammation that plagued him in May.

Severino could only throw two innings in his start against the Cincinnati Reds last night, as he reported the issue ahead of the third frame. He had conceded four runs on four hits and two walks in those two innings, and surrendered three straight home runs at one point. It was clear he wasn’t right.

After sending him for an MRI on Thursday afternoon, the Yankees placed Severino on the 15-day injured list with a low grade right lat strain. That’s the official diagnosis, and while there isn’t a firm timetable for his return, it’s safe to say he will be out for the foreseeable future.

A “low grade” lat strain

As MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reminds us, a lat strain kept Luis Severino out for most of the 2019 season. Now he’s back on the IL with the same injury, but the Yankees say that this one is “low grade.”

Domingo German, who hasn’t pitched at all during the 2022 campaign with his own shoulder issues, already has four starts in the minor leagues as part of his rehab assignment, and should be ready to take Severino’s spot in the rotation after the All-Star break if his absence extends for longer than expected.

As for Loaisiga, the Yankees are hoping he can return to his 2021 form, the one that saw him become one of the best and most reliable relievers in baseball.

In 70.2 frames last year, Loaisiga posted a 2.17 ERA. This season, however, everything went south, as he had an ugly 7.02 ERA in 16.2 frames before reporting the shoulder pain.

The Yankees hope to have Severino back relatively soon, and are thrilled to welcome back Loaisiga and see what he can do with full health.