CLEARWATER, Fla. — The outcomes had been ugly on Friday for the Yankees’ Luis Severino.
He gave up three runs on 4 hits in simply 1 ²/₃ innings. And the 49-pitch efficiency additionally included 4 walks and no strikeouts.
However don’t inform Severino it was a nasty day or a step backward as he builds in direction of Opening Day.
“No, each time I’m going on the market and might play catch tomorrow, that’s a step ahead,’’ Severino mentioned with a smile after the Yankees misplaced 6-5 to the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark.
Severino and the Yankees are extra within the truth the right-hander’s velocity is there and there’s a lot of motion on his pitches. The problem on Friday was command — particularly out of the stretch.
“His stuff was significantly nastier than the final time I caught him,” Kyle Higashioka mentioned of Severino’s return final 12 months. “He was throwing more durable [Friday] and his ball was breaking sharper. His stuff seems actually good. Now it’s nearly dialing in and commanding the zone. … As soon as he will get a bit of higher really feel for the zone, he’s going to be rolling. … I’ve received all the arrogance on this planet he’ll be proper the place he must be by Opening Day.”
The Yankees are relying on that — and scouts consider Severino is heading in the right direction, regardless of Friday’s line.
“The command will come again,” one AL scout mentioned. “He’s been by means of Tommy John and another stuff and been out longer than a whole lot of guys, so it takes time. However the arm remains to be reside.”
Requested earlier than the sport if he thought of Severino to be the group’s No. 2 starter behind Gerrit Cole, supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned: “Most likely. I don’t wish to get too locked into that due to the fast ramp up [due to a shortened spring training] and the primary couple of weeks might be distinctive.”
That’s only one side of what Severino has to cope with after not pitching a full season since 2018. He has been restricted to only 19 ¹/₃ innings since then, shut down by shoulder points, elbow surgical procedure after which a slew of setbacks.
Severino mentioned Friday he doesn’t even bear in mind precisely what it’s wish to undergo a standard spring coaching, main right into a wholesome season.
“I actually don’t,’’ Severino mentioned. “It’s been so lengthy, I don’t even know. I hope I’ve received two or three extra [spring training] begins to place the whole lot collectively.”
The actual fact he’s throwing laborious is one other encouraging signal to Boone.
“That’s who he’s and that’s why he’s Luis Severino,’’ Boone mentioned. “As a result of his stuff is particular.”
