Yankees rotation takes a big hit before the season

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery.

The team said Tuesday the 26-year-old right-hander has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, a development that means the twotime All-Star will miss all of 2020 after being sidelined for nearly all of 2019.

Left-hander James Paxton already was projected to miss the first two months of the season after back surgery Feb. 5.

Domingo German must serve the final 63 games of an 81-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. He is eligible to return June 5, barring any postponements.

Severino’s injury leaves the AL East favorites with a rotation of newly signed ace Gerrit Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and two openings.

The usual recovery time for Tommy John surgery is a year or more.

Braves

First baseman Freddie Freeman wasn’t in Atlanta’s starting lineup because of irritation in his right elbow. Freeman felt discomfort Monday and again Tuesday. “We’re trying to nip in the bud. He’s been throwing balls and doing things,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s better that it’s in February than the end of March.”

Brewers

Keston Hiura gave Milwaukee a lift when he was called up in midseason. After the departures of Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas as free agents, manager Craig Counsell is counting on a full season from the 23-year-old. “I’m excited about this year, I have a lot of stuff to work on,” Hiura said.

Dodgers

Baseball agent Scott Boras told the Los Angeles Times he will honor Kobe Bryant’s wishes and create an internship for the late John Altobelli’s surviving 16-year-old daughter, Alexis.

Phillies

The creators of the original Phillie Phanatic accused the team of “an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere” with the team’s redesign of the 42-year-old mascot which was unveiled Monday in a game against the Pirates.