Opening Day is still several days away, but 60% of the New York Yankees’ starting rotation will not be on the roster.
Luis Severino, whose injury history is long, suffered the third lip injury of his career and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.
The 29-year-old missed about two months with a low-grade lateral strain last season, so the Yankees should have some idea of a timetable for his return.
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Luis Severino of the New York Yankees walks off the field after being pulled out during the sixth inning in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 20, 2022 in Houston. . (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Severino is the third Yankees starting pitcher to hit the shelf this spring.
Frankie Montas, whom the Yankees acquired at last year’s trade deadline, could miss the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery. His $162 million lefty, Carlos Rodón, also suffered a forearm strain earlier this spring. He’s pitching again, but he’ll probably miss all of April.
It is the fifth consecutive season that Severino will be on the Disabled List. The right-hander made just four starts in 2019 with rotator cuff inflammation and a Grade 2 lateral strain, missing all of 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Luis Severino of the New York Yankees hangs out with teammates during the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on July 13, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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While recovering from his elbow operation in 2021, he suffered a groin injury that halted his comeback until September. So from the start of 2019 through the 2021 season, including the postseason, he pitched just 27.2 innings.
Severino had a 3.18 ERA last year in 19 starts.
In addition to All-Stars Gerrit Cole and Néstor Cortés, the Yankees’ rotation will likely include Domingo Germán and reliever Clarke Schmidt with the fifth starter job on the line until Rodón and Severino return.
New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino throws during the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on October 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Other LM)
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New York won 99 games last year but was swept by the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros, the third time in five years the Astros eliminated the Yanks in the ALCS.