Girardi in dark about Severino health update
Joe Girardi didn’t know what was going on with Luis Severino’s right shoulder on Sunday.
“He checked out well [Saturday]. I will find out later [Sunday] if there are any tests planned. But I’m not sure what’s going to exactly happen,’’ Girardi said of the Yankees’ ace who was lifted after four innings in Game 2 of the ALCS.
Severino, who was examined by a doctor in Houston on Saturday, said the Yankees were concerned about him swinging his arm on the mound but explained he was 100 percent fine.
The early hook could have been related to Severino not being as sharp as he was in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Indians when he allowed four hits, three runs and struck out nine in seven innings in a 7-3 win. Severino threw 113 pitches in that outing and it might have taken a toll on Saturday.
Should the Yankees force a Game 6, Severino would be in line to start.
Girardi has had several opportunities to call for Dellin Betances but has preferred others.
Still, the manager continues to predict Betances will eventually be a big contributor to the cause during the ALCS.
“I expect him to compete and pitch at a high level when I call upon him. You know, for us, I’m going to say it again, he’s going to play an important role,’’ Girardi said of Betances, who walked the only two batters he faced in Game 4 of the ALDS and was removed. “You look at the three innings that he threw in the last series, the first night he threw really well, the second night he threw really well. He struggled a little bit the last outing, but he’s been through that before and bounced back. His name is going to be called upon.’’
When Girardi had Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson and Betances during the regular season, he used Robertson in the seventh, Betances in the eighth and Chapman to close.
However, Robertson is the arm Girardi uses before Ch a p man and Tommy Kahnle has pitched his way into a late-inning role.
In four postseason appearances, Kahnle hasn’t allowed a hit or a run, has struck out seven and stranded all three runners he inherited.
Outside of rotating three players for the DH spot, Girardi hasn’t had a lot of movement in his lineup and that isn’t expected to change for Game 3 Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
“No, I am going to stick with it. You know, one or two hits away from being 2-0. So I don’t see many changes,’’ Girardi said when asked about changing the lineup.
Girardi has used Jacoby Ellsbury, Chase Headley and Matt Holliday as his DHs and they are a combined 0-for-23.
The numbers a re so bad Girardi was seriously asked if he would use utility infielder Ronald Torreyes as the DH.
“No, it’s not something he’s accustomed to doing. He has been a guy when you’ve had success it’s been consistent at-bats and he’s played a lot,’’ Girardi said “No, we’ll continue to DH the guys we are.’’
Against lefty Dallas Keuchel in Game 1, Girardi went with the right-handed hitting Holliday as the DH and he went 0-for-3. Girardi used the switch-hitting Headley again strighthander Justin Verlander in Game 2 and he went 0-for-3, but hit a ball hard to the warning track that Josh Reddick caught.