Yankees may move Luis Severino to bullpen after latest loss: ‘Everything’s on the table’
The Yankees’ starting rotation is in flux and may see another change after another disastrous start from Luis Severino.
Severino lasted just four-plus innings Friday night against the Houston Astros, giving up five runs en route to a 7-3 Yankees loss. It’s the second straight short and ineffective outing for the 29-year-old. On July 30 against the Orioles, Severino had arguably the worst start of his season when he gave up nine runs on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings.
Following the game, manager Aaron Boone was asked whether the team would consider putting Severino in the bullpen.
“Everything’s on the table,” he said. “This time, obviously, we got jammed up a little bit. Everything is on the table moving forward. We’ll talk through it [with Severino]. The biggest thing is whatever we do, is trying to continue to get him to find that consistency.”
With the Domingo German situation this week, the Yankees didn’t have the luxury of possibly skipping Severino’s spot in the rotation. But with Nestor Cortes set to return Saturday and Jhony Brito having some big league starts under his belt this season, perhaps a break in the pen would do Severino good.
This is the right-hander’s eighth season in majors and he’s arguably having his worst year. He currently has a 7.74 ERA -- the worst in the MLB -- and his first-inning ERA sits at 13.85, the highest among all pitchers this season with 10-plus starts.
“The cutter and changeup was really good. The homer [Yordan] Alvarez hit, you can’t do nothing about it,” Severino said of his start. “I'm having a tough time getting people out, minimizing homers. But I feel healthy and I'll keep working trying to get better.
When asked whether his first-inning struggles is a mechanical or mental issue, the righty said it was both.
"I'm not gonna lie, every time I give up a homer or a run in the first inning, it's like 'Jesus Christ, what am I doing?'” he said. “This is a really good lineup. If you make a mistake you’re going to pay for it.”
“I think it’s execution and being on the center of the plate and being in hot zones too much. I don’t care how good you are at this level, they are going to make you pay for that, that’s the biggest thing we’ve seen,” Boone said of Severino’s struggles this season. “That all starts with being in a good headspace, having a good plan, having that confidence being solid and sound in your delivery that allows you to go execute. That’s the struggle right now and that’s what we’re trying to find.”
Boone reiterated that “everything is on the table” when he was asked if Severino can work out his issues in the rotation and added, “we’ll continue to see what’s best for everyone.”
For Severino, he says he needs to talk to Boone about a potential move but he’s open to it if it helps the team.
"As of right now, I'm a starting pitcher. I love having a day for me,” Severino said. “But at the end of the day, I'm for the team and whatever they need me to do.”
The Yankees’ loss Friday night put them at 57-53 for the season and 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Severino’s next turn in the rotation is not set until Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.
