Yankees’ Luis Severino dodges serious injury, passes first test

The New York Yankees are hoping starting pitcher Luis Severino will be ready for opening day on April 7. While Gerrit Cole will get the first start of the 2022 campaign, Severino is expected to be the No. 2 option behind him, but after sustaining general soreness after his most recent start, there is fear he could miss the start of the regular season.

“I woke up with general soreness. I was real tight more than normal,” Severino told reporters. “It got better the next day and the day after that.”

Severino was expected to pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week, but unfortunately, his start was canceled, and he headed to the bullpen for a pitching session.

On Wednesday, the veteran starter threw 31 pitches, mixing in a variety of options, ranging from his fastball to change-up.

It is a great sign that Severino was able to get some action this week despite being sore. Of course, the team will be extremely conscience of his injury history and give him all the time he needs to return to his 2018 form.

“We just wanted to give it a couple extra days,” he said right before Severino took the mound on Wednesday.

Severino has only pitched 18 innings over the last three seasons, which is obviously problematic. Relying on him to be the No. 2 option behind Cole is optimistic, but with his velocity looking sharp, there is hope he can once again revive his career.

Pitching coach Matt Blake stated recently that Severino needed a couple more outings, maintaining velocity but failing with his execution.

“I think if we had three or four more outings, you’d see it iron out,” pitching coach Matt Blake said Monday. “But right now, it’s like we’ve got probably another seven-to-10 days to get this right and then continue to build on it in the season. It’s not going to be a finished product.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bombers started him in a relief role and gradually increase his workload until he can make his first start.