All signs point to Severino as fourth starter

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Joe Girardi said the Yankees know who their fourth starter is and have defined a role for Luis Severino, but wouldn’t divulge whether the right-hander is a fit for the big leagues.

What Girardi did say was that the club views the 23-yearold right-hander as a starter.

“We have an idea what we are going to do with him for the most part. We haven’t had a chance to talk completely about it, but we have an idea what we are going to do,’’ Girardi said of Severino, who will start Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater.

While Chad Green, Bryan Mitchell, Jordan Montgomery and Severino remain in a competition for the fourth starter’s spot — the Yankees don’t need a fifth until April 16 — it appears Severino will be the choice. If that’s the case, he would be in line to start the home opener April 10 against the Rays.

Severino’s spring has been up and down, but three scoreless innings against the Phillies in his most recent outing, in which he didn’t allow a hit and fanned five, was very impressive.

As fo r Montgomery, he allowed one run and six hits Wednesday against the Blue Jays without his best stuff. Though he had an impressive 2016 minor league season and three straight solid outings to finish the exhibition schedule, the 24-year-old lefty has made just six starts above Double-A.

“He is definitely in the con- versation,’’ Girardi said of Montgomery, who could open the season at Triple-A Scranton / Wilkes- Barre and be ready for April 16 or later.

Of Montgomery’ s five frames, only the final one was clean.

“I got caught up in the lineup and over-thought it too much,’’ Montgomery said.

CC Sabathia will work in a minor league game Thursday to prepare for his Tuesday starting assignment against the Rays.

Didi Gregorius’ work schedule is limited to indoor activities.

“I saw him doing exercises in the weight room. He is not doing baseball activities. I think he is five or six days away from that,’’ Girardi said.

On March 21, the Yankees announced the starting shortstop had a right shoulder injury that would sideline him at least until the start of May and that he wouldn’t throw a ball for two weeks.

Girardi on Jeurys Familia’s 15-game suspension:

“Obviously there is no place for domestic violence. Baseball has taken an active role making statements to players that we won’t tolerate. You don’t want to see it happen and there are consequences when it does happen.’’ Additionalreportingby

JoelSherman