Struggling New York Yankees Pitcher Luis Severino Headed to DL

MLB

New York Yankees right hander Luis Severino has been placed on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI revealed a mild right tricep strain.

Severino started Friday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox and was roughed up for seven runs on seven hits in just 2.2 innings before being removed from the game with the injury.

The Yankees lost the game 7-1 and the once so promising young arm fell to 0-6 on the season with a 7.46 ERA.

The Yankees and manager Joe Girardi are most likely relieved that Severino’s injury is not an elbow issue, but putting him on the DL only stalls the process.

Severino won’t pick up a baseball for five to seven days, and for everyone that actually might be a good thing.

Whether it is typical growing pains, or a foreshadow of what is to come, Severino is struggling. He lacks command with his fastball and does not seem to have any secondary pitch to turn to.

To make things worse, opponents are now hitting .311 against Severino and his lack of command is causing him to average just 5.8 innings per start causing the Yankees to get significant length from their bullpen.

The most logical move for the Yankees is to send Severino to Triple-A. The 22-year old needs to develop a second pitch, work on commanding his pitches and could benefit from innings at a lower level.

If the Yankees decide to keep him up, the right hander will continue to learn on the fly and try and improve off of each start, something we have yet to see.

Either way, the Yankees have a decision to make with their prized arm, an arm that was untouchable this winter and an arm the organization needs moving forward.