After losses by the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, the New York Yankees have the best record in baseball. And news came Thursday morning that the Bronx Bombers will be getting even better soon. Manager Aaron Boone announced that ace pitcher Luis Severino is ready to rejoin the Yankees and will start next Tuesday.
Boone called it a “game-changer” for the Yankees, who have a fearsome lineup full of home run hitters and several ex-closers in a lockdown bullpen. The one weakness has been the starting rotation, which has seen James Paxton pitch fine but Masahiro Tanaka and others mix in terrible results with their good ones.
Part of the problem has been the absence of Severino, who has been out all season with shoulder inflammation and a lat strain.
Luis Severino is set to make his 2019 debut next week
His return is scheduled for Tuesday vs. the Angels pic.twitter.com/KSIOrcOlfD
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) September 12, 2019
A long road back
Severino last pitched during the 2018 playoffs against the Boston Red Sox. Since then, he has battled injuries to the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
But he made a few rehab starts at the end of the minor league season, the final one coming Wednesday in the Eastern League playoffs for Double-A Trenton. He threw 64 pitches in 3-2/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs but struck out four with no walks.
Luis Severino struck out the side in order in the second inning. He has hit 98 mph multiple times tonight. Here are all three strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/zO3EK9AyX3
— David Mendelsohn (@BigBabyDavid_) September 11, 2019
The rich get richer
There’s good reason for Boone’s excitement regarding Severino’s return. The big right-hander was 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 191 innings last season for New York. The year before, he was even better, his 2.98 ERA and 230 strikeouts landing him third in the AL Cy Young voting.
“I’ve been talking a while that he’s been in a pretty good place physically now for a couple months, building good momentum and his progression has gone really smooth,” Boone said, according to the New York Post.
The Yankees also expect to get slugger Giancarlo Stanton back soon as they push for baseball’s best record and a run at world title No. 28.
GOOD NEWS: @M_Marakovits with the Clubhouse Report on Luis Severino who will make his Season Debut Tuesday!#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/bA3cr5Ka9Z
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 12, 2019
