Injuries have prevented star Yankees right-handers Luis Severino and Dellin Betances from pitching in 2019, but that could change in the coming weeks. Severino and Betances have been medically cleared to begin throwing programs Monday, per reports from Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News and James Wagner of the New York Times.
The 25-year-old Severino proved himself as one of the game’s top young starters from 2017-18, which led the Yankees to award him a four-year, $40MM extension this past February. The club shut down Severino because of shoulder inflammation in early March, though, and discovered at the beginning of April that he had a Grade 2 lat strain. The expectation then was that Severino would debut in May, which was eventually pushed back to July and then August.
Severino began a throwing program before his latest shutdown, but general manager Brian Cashman revealed he did so before undergoing an MRI. Cashman expressed disappointment in the Yankees for letting Severino start throwing without first going through a more thorough examination. However, now it seems the hard-throwing Severino truly is on the way back.
While Severino was the ace of the Yankees’ staff over the previous two years, he’s far from certain to reprise that role in 2019. Cashman suggested Friday that Severino could max out as a 75-pitch hurler and/or work from the Yankees’ bullpen when he returns in “six or more weeks.” Regardless, Cashman’s sure to continue scouring the trade market for starters leading up to the July 31 deadline.
Like Severino, Betances came into 2019 hoping to build on a recent stretch of outstanding production. Instead, though, the 31-year-old reliever’s season – which happens to be his last under team control – hasn’t gotten off the ground. A bone spur in his shoulder and then a lat injury have prevented Betances from further making a case for a sizable offseason payday. They’ve also robbed the Yankees of their best setup man, though their bullpen has still held its own en route to the AL’s top record (61-33).
It deserves to be said that these two will be way more important than anybody NY will trade for.
To depend much on these two as major contributors would be the biggest mistake ever. They need to add a significant starter.
I just doubt they’ll meet the asking price to add someone special.
There goes the World Series this year.
Guess it all depends on who the “special” player is and what the asking price is. If Cashman is cool with the price, he’ll pull the trigger on a deal for sure.
Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colon is available.
You talk like its a guarantee they come back healthy, stay healthy, and pitch as good as they have. A BIG assumption.
I see what you’re saying. I’m not necessarily implying how well Severino and Betances will pitch when come back, more that I project they’ll be the best pitches added to the active roster come October. If they’re coming back healthy, we should also expect them to pitch solidly.
I think the Yankees are 58-32
Your point?
The article says 61-33 that’s his point
What are the chances that you think he actually read the article? I’d say a 22.7% chance
I think his point is, that the Yankees are already the best team in baseball.
Best teams are decided in October not July. Silly Yankee fans probably forgot about that.
You know Mel—, I read post after post with you denigrating Yankee fans….You make so little sense with all of them that replying to you is so self denigrating that I wrestled with posting anything at all, but my emotion got the best of me and here you go.
I make little sense? So the best teams are those with the best record at the all star break? Really?
“the best team in baseball”
They dont have the best record in baseball (Dodgers do).
They aren’t the reigning champs.
Sorry, Mel’s comments are completely appropriate. “Wait til October”.
What does reigning champs have to do with who the best team is this year? Sorry but RS are middle of the pack. The Dodgers and Yanks are neck and neck for best record, a win or loss either way and the lead changes.
Not only do the Dodgers have the best record, they have the largest run differential, and lower team ERA.
“What does reigning champs have to do with who the best team”
Sounds like something someone that’s never won a championship would say. Hope you enjoy waving your “Best record at the All Star Break” banner.
Yankee fan here. The best teams are the ones who are hot at the right time rolling into the playoffs along with a solid 1-2 SP punch.
Yankees don’t have a 1-2 punch. It’s what they been lacking for 10 + years.
Along with the streak flash in the pan who cannot hit in the Post Season Brett Garbage. Expect his usual Garbage stats in the PS.
Lacking SP and Garbage out in LF..
Gardner and Tauchman in today. Are you expecting a win?
Gardner has been great this year
Think about not having Gardner all year long….you would definitely not have the 58 wins they have so far.
Pretty much everyone’s stats in the post season suffer except fo the occasional Superman that emerges from the phone booth…good example is last years World Series MVP.
And yes, expectations are to win each and every game.
they winin 2-0 what are you talking about ♂️♂️♂️♂️♂️♂️
Can anyone predict who Louiebeans’ Enemy #1 will be once Brett Gardner is gone from the team? My bet is on Hicks.
“Yankee fan here”
Biggest lie i’ve seen all day
They have some solid #2s in Tanaka and Paxton. I wouldn’t really feel confident in German in the PS but he looks good. Happy is so hit or miss and on a short leash, CC is decent. If Severino can come back and give them anything, they’re in good shape but yes, they could use another front-end starter. Question is if the price is to Cashman’s liking.
Louie, all you do is hate on Gardner… Give it a break man, your hatred is so blind it’s disgusting.
If you were ACTUALLY a real “Yankee fan” you would’ve figured that out by now.
Can’t stand him can’t wait till he’s gone!
Favorite Yankees
El Duke
Mattingly
Winfield
Jeter
Rivera
Oneil
Least
Gardner
Favorite Yankees :
Munson
Nettles
Rivers
Bucky “Effing” Dent
Oscar Gamble… loved his hair
Mattingly
Winfield
Girardi
this comment aged well
If these two come back healthy, no team has a better upgrade at the deadline.
…and effective like in the past. But that’s a big IF since they’ve been out of action for so long.
Where is Montgomery ?
2020
how did he get to the future? i didnt even see an article on it, amazing!
Does anyone know what adding a 4 win player does to a team with a .600% win+ team vs another .600% win team in a short series? I bet all of you think it matters a lot when it generally increases your chances of winning by less than a % point.
If it’s a starting pitcher, it can make a great deal of difference, ESPECIALLY in a short series.
depends on who the 4 WAR player is replacing, moron.
This is exciting news !!!! Both are big time impact arms
Severino had a 5.57 ERA in the second half last season, which was the last time he pitched. What are they really getting back?
Only the greatest thing since sliced bread.
With this bullpen, they can reduce postseason games to about 5-6 inning games if they get a lead. What a weapon!
To consider seve an upgrade akin to the best available on the market he better be healthy and on his game. It’s a huge gamble by cashman given that the yanks are in prime position to finally return to glory.
I still say get the ace and stop dabbing in the margins and taking risks…. I want a parade
Really hope if Sevy comes back this season it’s not in the bullpen. That sort of move messes with pitchers mentally
What makes you think German doesn’t have what it takes in post season. Why can’t Dellin or sevy be used as a opener in the playoffs?? Pax just needs a opener. These guys will be healthy by playoffs
Stanton will be back hopefully. Judge needs to roll. I can’t stand Boone flipping line ups.. but it’s working. Gio Urshela???? Did anyone see that coming?? We’re up 6 games. With 4 this week with TB. Let’s see where we are on Friday before we panic