Luis Severino
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino was scratched on Tuesday leading to a two-week shutdown for shoulder inflammation.

Robby Sabo

On Tuesday, the New York Yankees Opening Day hopes and dreams came crashing down to Earth with a massive thud.

Ace righty Luis Severino found himself suddenly scratched. Shortly after, it was revealed that it was directly tied to shoulder inflammation that’ll most likely keep him out for Opening Day.

It’s currently projected out as a two-week shelf stint.

“Luis Severino’s MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation. He will be shut down for two weeks, receive an injection and anti-inflammatories, then resume his throwing program.”

Of course, two weeks is just the current prognostication.

“When he was getting warmed up for the game, he just threw a pitch and felt something around the lat or back of the shoulder and just didn’t feel right, so [he] walked off,” Yankees sophomore manager Aaron Boone said during the telecast on YES Network. “He’s going to see the doctor and get an MRI this afternoon and kind of hope for the best,” via Coley Harvey of ESPN.

Severino, 25, enters the 2019 campaign as the club’s undoubted ace. Over 32 starts a season ago, the youngster pitched to a 3.39 ERA and 1.145 WHIP to go along with 220 strikeouts in 191.1 total innings pitched.

He was so good that during the majority of the season, many considered him the AL Cy Young award frontrunner. A bad home stretch took that possibility away along with an off-the-chart final stat line.

Options to take his place on Opening Day include veteran Masahiro Tanaka, newcomer James Paxton, returnee J.A. Happ, and the big fella, CC Sabathia.


Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com