Yankees RHP Luis Severino threw a live batting practice Friday at Yankee Stadium — before the start of a three-game home series with Cleveland — and a return to pinstripes could be coming soon, as manager Aaron Boone said prior to Friday’s game. Severino told reporters on the field Friday that he felt “game ready” coming out of his session, which Boone said included a fastball hitting 96 mph.
“Pretty good,” Severino said. “A little tired. I haven’t been on the mound in a little bit, but pitches and arm strength feel pretty good.”
“I’ve been feeling really good, the past couple weeks,” Severino added. “… I feel ready.”
Boone gave the following assessment of Severino, who has not pitched in an MLB game since the late 2019 season, which included a two playoff starts.
“I thought (Severino’s live batting practice) was really good,” Boone said. “I thought the intensity was good. The stuff was good. I know the first hitter we checked on, I think he was 96 and it looked like that. And then even the feedback from (Tyler Wade) and (Rougned Odor) was (that there was) the life there (on Severino’s fastball). I thought his secondary (pitches) looked sharp. I thought he was, actually, really sharp.
“And to have two ups there and get his volume up, too, was good. So see how he comes out of this. But it looks like he’s pretty encouraged about it, too. And I felt this way a lot with Sevy as he’s been returning. And unfortunately, he’s had the different setbacks that have popped up. But feel like his energy and intensity have been good. There’s a confidence that he has, especially in his arm, right now.”
The Yankees’ regular season runs through Oct. 3, closing with a three-game series at the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, and a Wild Card spot remains up for grabs. While Severino’s role remains to be seen, the one-time ace’s return should give a boost regardless.
“Obviously, we’re not going to get him built up to like a starter or anything like that, but I can (see him back),” Boone said. “We’ll see what the next step is, if we get him in a game in a couple days. But yeah, I could envision him with us pretty soon if everything goes well.”
Whatever the Yankees have in mind, Severino wants to be a contributor.
“If they want me to hit, throw, catch — I’ll do whatever,” Severino said with a smile. “I don’t really care right now.”