Sevy, Betances begin latest attempt to make return
Luis Severino and Dellin Betances restarted throwing programs together Monday, their latest attempts at returning to the mound in time to make an impact this season. Neither has thrown a single pitch in the regular season because of shoulder injuries that turned into lat strains, but after playing catch in right field before the Yankees lost 5-4 to the Rays in the series opener, both expressed confidence they would be able to contribute this year.
While Betances could move quicker because he is a reliever, Severino said he would be open to coming back sooner in the bullpen if that’s what the Yankees needed.
“Today’s the first day, but I just want to pitch,” Severino said after he and Betances each made 25 throws to each other from 60 feet on flat ground. “It doesn’t matter where or when, in the bullpen or as a starter. I just want to pitch.”
Severino said the possibility of coming back as a reliever first had not yet been discussed, and while he would prefer to be a starter, he’s willing to do whatever the Yankees have planned. Another option could be coming back as a starter on a shorter pitch count, which could work in the playoffs, when leashes are shorter anyway.
General manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network Radio on Friday that Severino could be used out of the bullpen if he didn’t have enough time to build up as a full-time starter, noting it would take at least six weeks to get him back.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated the bullpen option is not “necessarily” under consideration right now, but left the door open for it to be.
“We want to build him up and hopefully the process goes smoothly and he gets built up that way,” Boone said. “But that being said, we’ll probably continue to reevaluate him every couple weeks to see where we’re at and see what’s going to make the most sense.”
Severino and Betances said they felt good, even if both used the word “weird’ to describe throwing again after long layoffs — Betances was shut down for five weeks and Severino for three weeks. But they have been down this road enough times this year to know that bigger challenges await before they are in the clear.
For Severino, it will be when he gets on a mound — a step he never reached in his last throwing program that was shut down in late June due to soreness. This is the third time the powerful
right-hander has restarted a comeback, first from right rotator cuff inflammation and the second two from a subsequent lat strain.
Betances, meanwhile, said his big test will be facing hitters.
“That’s what got me last time, I faced hitters and I didn’t bounce back,” said Betances, who was in a throwing program in early June when an MRI revealed his low-grade lat strain. “Once I can do that, then I know I’m right around the corner.”
The Yankees’ success has lessened the sense of urgency or rush to get back, Betances said, but he has kept his eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.
“These guys are doing a tremendous job,” Betances said, “so kind of giving me that calmness to do what I have to do to take my time to get ready for this playoff, division push and hopefully World Series.”