Cashman: Sevy still six weeks from returning
In what has become a staple of Aaron Boone’s pre-game meeting with the media, the Yankees’ manager was asked Friday about the status of his injured players.
There was some positive news on first baseman Luke Voit, who is expected to be activated from the injured list Saturday, but general manager Brian Cashman said earlier in the day that former staff ace Luis Severino will require six weeks to return from the injured list and could come back as a reliever.
Talking on MLB Network Radio, the GM said Severino will be examined on Saturday and could begin a throwing program shortly thereafter. He also acknowledged Severino might not be fully built up in time to be a full-time starter the rest of the way, and he didn’t rule out using the right-hander out of the bullpen.
“The worst-case scenario is he is an abbreviated starter or a guy who we can blow out of our pen if time constraints are against us,’’ Cashman said of Severino, who hasn’t pitched this season due to an inflamed rotator cuff and lat problem, the genesis of which has never been revealed. “If we don’t have enough time to stretch him out fully, we could have an abbreviated version. Would he be a 75-pitch guy? Sixty-five pitches? I don’t know.’’
Regardless, Cashman said he is looking to get Severino back at some point.
“I know I feel very comfortable and confident that sooner than later, he is going to be a choice Aaron Boone can give the ball to,’’ Cashman said of Severino, who signed a four-year, $40 million contract during spring training and avoided arbitration.
In other injury news, Dellin Betances said he will be evaluated Sunday and Boone said there is a chance the reliever, who hasn’t appeared in a game this year, could begin a throwing program the next day.
“Dellin is set to probably start throwing Monday. He’s doing well and chomping at the bit to get going,’’ Boone said of Betances, who had a right shoulder impingement in spring training and later developed a low-grade lat strain while working in a rehab program.
According to Boone, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is still working his way back from a sprained right knee.
“Hasn’t even moved to baseball activities yet,’’ Boone said of Stanton.