Severino finally gets All-Star shot
WASHINGTON — The All-Star Game might be meaningless in the standings, but it's meaningful for Luis Severino.
Severino, who has turned his career around after some early adversity that featured a demotion to the minors and a stint in the bullpen, got to sit with Gerrit Cole, Chris Sale and Justin Verlander on Monday, the best starting pitchers the AL has to offer.
“How great is that? Seeing all those guys,” Severino said before getting set to pitch the second inning of Tuesday's Midsummer Classic at Nationals Park. “When you sit with those guys, you want to know how they do it. How did they get so good? Today and yesterday is one of the best moments I've ever had.”
Severino made the All-Star team for the first time in his career last season in Miami, but he never got to pitch even though the game went 10 innings with the AL winning, 2-1.
“It wasn't bad because a lot of stuff was going on, all the guys were talking and you can even have your phone there, so that's good,” Severino said. “But I wanted to pitch and be part of the game. And I think this year I'm going to be.”
Severino is 14-2 with a 2.31 ERA. The Yankees are 18-2 in his 20 starts. He has already thrown 128.1 innings, and Aaron Boone and his staff decided to give the 24-year-old ace some extra rest coming out of the break. Severino will make his next start Monday in Tampa.
“I mean, I don't feel like I need rest,” Severino said. “I feel good. But the Yankees know more than me, my body, the trainers, all that stuff. It's going to be good for me. But right now I feel good, I don't feel tired.”
Unlike Severino, 21-year-old rookie Gleyber Torres won't be able to play due to a hip injury. But after starting the season in the minors, Torres has been sure to soak in everything. “I'm enjoying it all,” Torres said.
Torres even got to take some grounders next to Hosuton second baseman Jose Altuve.
“He's a pretty awesome guy,” Torres said. “I have a good relationship with him. Just try to enjoy the moment and learn.”
Torres hadn't ever talked to Altuve before.
“I know him a little bit, but I never talked to him personally,” Torres said. “But now I've got a better relationship with him.”
Torres has 15 homers, 42 RBI and a .905 OPS. He ran the bases again under the eye of Yankees trainer Stevie Donohue and will fly to Tampa to do a minor-league rehab stint some time over the weekend. The hope is Torres can rejoin the Yankees for their second series of the second half against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
“I'm ready for the trip, that's for sure,” Torres said.