Luis Severino, Dellin Betances cleared to begin throwing programs
Luis Severino of the New York Yankees looks on against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on May 27 in the Bronx. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Luis Severino and Dellin Betances are ready to resume their rehab work to rejoin the Yankees. Both pitchers went on the injured list in spring training with shoulder issues and suffered lat muscle injuries during their initial rehabs. They will begin throwing programs on Monday, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday. He also said they were cleared for the move after having follow-up MRI exams.
“I think we’re confident where they are at as far as their recovery and we feel like they are in position to be ready to start this step,” Boone said before Sunday’s 4-2 win over Toronto at the Stadium. “Now their feedback and how they feel and bounce back is always a major part of the evaluation and continuing to lay out the program . . . They’re in position to graduate to this point.”
Boone wasn’t about to put an estimate on a timeline for either to return to the big league club. Both will have to build arm strength through long tossing, pitch on flat ground and throw to hitters before going on a minor league rehab assignment.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said during a radio interview last week that Severino might not have enough time to build back up to a 100-pitch starter and thus could return to the Yankees in any of a number of roles. He said the team might see an “abbreviated” Severino who throws 65 to 75 pitches in an outing.
Boone did not speculate Sunday about Severino’s role.
“I think we’re way too early in the process and I think Brian was responding to a question, ‘Is that possible?’ Sure that’s possible,” Boone said. “I think there’s a number of things that are potentially on the table depending on how he progresses, what he gets to. Then we’ll see where we’re at as he builds himself up.”
As for the question of where the righthanders will do their rehab, Boone said, “For the most part, they’ll do the bulk of that with us, and I like them with us here.” Whether the club will bring them on road trips before they go on minor league rehab assignments remains to be seen.
Extra bases
Boone said lefthander Jordan Montgomery, who was shut down from his rehab after Tommy John surgery because of shoulder discomfort last month, is throwing again. Asked if he could be a factor for the Yankees before the end of the season, Boone said, “It’s possible.” . . . Edwin Encarnacion took a fastball off the left forearm Saturday and had some soreness Sunday. He didn’t start but was available if needed . . . Brett Gardner’s sixth-inning single extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
