The New York Yankees starting rotation is in desperate need of help. Corey Kluber is on the 60 day Injured List, and it is fair to wonder if his season is over. Jameson Taillon has not been the arm that the Yankees had hoped for, unable to pitch deep into games and was roughed up on Saturday, recording just one out. But hope was on the horizon; Luis Severino was set to make his second rehab start as he works his way back to the majors.
That start lasted for 1.2 innings. He landed awkwardly after a pitch and appeared to have injured something in his lower body, needing to be helped off the field in a lot of pain.
New York Yankees did not need another Luis Severino injury
Severino had impressed during his outing before he was injured. His fastball was sitting in the mid 90s, and touched 99 MPH. His changeup and slider were impressive, as was his command of his arsenal and the strike zone. With the way he had been performing, it was just a matter of building up his pitch count.
Instead, the Yankees have to hold their breath in hopes that this latest injury is not major. He may have simply landed awkwardly, twisting his ankle in a way that was painful, but did not cause any damage. If so, he may be able to make his next scheduled rehab start.
Severino had been on his way to establishing himself as one of the better starters in the game before his career was sidetracked by injuries. He was an All Star in 2017 and 2018, posting a combined 33-14 record with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.092 WHiP over his 384.2 innings, striking out 450 batters with 95 walks. As he was just 24 years old when the 2018 season concluded, the Yankees appeared to have found their future ace.
Instead, he has pitched a total of three games in the majors since, and five games overall, since the start of the 2019 campaign. However, as he is just 27 years old, he still has plenty of time to be the pitcher the Yankees hope he can be. He just needs to stay healthy.
The New York Yankees are hoping Luis Severino can be a boost to their rotation. Right now, they are holding their breath after he left a rehab start with an apparent injury.