After a lat pressure delayed his 2023 debut, Luis Severino seemed like a shot within the arm for an injury-riddled Yankees’ rotation after his first two begins of the season.
The right-hander tallied two earned runs and 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings in opposition to the Reds and Padres on May 21 and 27, respectfully, a robust displaying as he continued to construct up on the main league stage after two minor league begins. Since then, nevertheless, Severino’s efficiency has been extra of an issue than a welcomed addition.
That remained the case Tuesday in opposition to the Mets, because the 29-year-old permitted 5 earned runs (six whole) over 4.2 innings in a teeter-totter, 7-6 Yankees win that noticed Max Scherzer pitch poorly, too. Severino additionally gave up seven hits and 10 hard-hit balls whereas strolling three, putting out 4 and balking twice over 104 pitches.
While Aaron Boone stated he noticed progress in one other “rough start” from Severino, the fireballer had a harsher tackle his evening.
“For me, I didn’t get better,” Severino stated. “I need to be a better pitcher. I feel like every time they give me the ball, I’m not helping the team right now. So I just need to figure out what’s going on, and hopefully I can do that soon.”
Boone might’ve spared Severino a run, however the supervisor caught with the starter with two outs within the fifth following a quick mound go to. The alternative instantly got here again to chunk Severino and the Yankees, as Luis Guillorme knocked the hurler out with a single that tied the sport at six.
“I just wanted to check on him,” Boone stated of the go to. “I want to give him a chance to get through there. The biggest thing, I didn’t want him to overdo it and run into a mistake that way. Execute. He ends up getting ahead of him, and then Guillorme gets him. Disappointing there that he wasn’t able to get through that and probably ultimately claim the win, but I think something hopefully to catapult him a little bit.”
Added Severino: “I didn’t deliver. So I need to get better.”
Brandon Nimmo began the scoring off Severino when he hit a leadoff homer within the first. Severino solely surrendered one different run within the preliminary body — thanks partially to a working, leaping seize from Jake Bauers in proper — however the Mets put up one other two-spot within the second.
Severino’s three walks tied a season-high, and each of his balks got here within the second. That made him the primary Yankee with two balks in a sport since Hideki Irabu in 1997 and the primary with two balks in an inning since Rich Monteleone in 1992, per the YES Network’s James Smyth.
Severino’s ERA is now 6.48, and he’s allowed 16 earned runs and 7 longballs over his final three begins. His fastball’s command and velocity have been points at occasions, although he was proper round his season common of 96.4 miles per hour on Tuesday.
“I don’t get enamored by the number,” Boone stated of Severino’s velocity earlier than Tuesday’s sport. “More about what’s the life look like? What are the swings looking like off of it? And then is he putting it where he wants to? If he does, those things will be in a good spot.”
While Severino’s heater appeared up to the mark on Tuesday, 18 sliders did not yield a single whiff in opposition to the Mets. The energy pitcher solely compiled seven whiffs on the evening, most of which got here from his fastball.
“At least the fastball was there today,” Severino stated. “I need to do a better job putting guys away.”
Boone famous that Severino had a tough time controlling counts early on, too.
Severino has usually had a tricky time within the early going, giving up 12 runs over the primary two innings in his final three begins. That features a six-run first inning in opposition to the Dodgers on June 2.
With Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas all on the injured listing, the Yankees want Severino to show issues round. He does on a private stage, too, because the profession pinstiper is an impending free agent whose lengthy harm historical past already served as an impediment to securing a second main payday.
Severino has loads of time to show issues round, and it’s price noting that he’s taking part in catch-up after struggling his lat harm on the finish of spring coaching. But his previous couple of begins have been alarming, and Tuesday was no completely different.
Yet Boone believes the evening can function a “springboard,” even when Severino continues to be in quest of solutions.
“I can’t put a finger right now on what’s going on,” he stated. “So I just need to get a deep dive on all my outings and try to figure it out.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com