Luis Severino could make or break New York Yankees rotation

The New York Yankees starting rotation is filled with question marks. While Gerrit Cole is the undisputed ace of the staff, the rest of the rotation is comprised of pitchers returning from injury or unproven youngsters. There is plenty of potential in the Yankees’ rotation, but there is also the possibility of a drastic implosion.

This is not where a team with World Series aspirations wants to find itself. However, the Yankees may have that second ace they desperately need by the All-Star Break, as Luis Severino is working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Luis Severino the ultimate wild card for New York Yankees

Severino has appeared in just three games since the start of the 2019 season. He missed most of that year due to shoulder issues, but hardly missed a beat upon his return in September. Unfortunately, he suffered a forearm strain during the postseason which never went away, leading to surgery in February 2020.

Before the last two injury plagued seasons, Severino appeared to be a future ace in New York. He posted a 33-14 record in his 384.2 innings between 2017 and 2018, along with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.092 WHiP. He struck out 450 batters with just 97 walks in that time, showing true top of the rotation stuff.

The Yankees will not be able to expect him to return to that form immediately upon his return. It typically takes two years before a pitcher is back to form following Tommy John surgery. Severino may not fully be the pitcher he had been until next year.

But he is still a vital part of the Yankees’ hopes for 2021. If he is even 80% of the pitcher he had been, that would go a long way to solidifying the rotation. Considering the other injury risks on the pitching staff, and the relatively untested younger arms, Severino’s performance could go a long way to determining how the Yankees finish this season.

The New York Yankees need another pitcher to step up in their starting rotation. Luis Severino could be the ultimate wild card.