Luis Severino could finally see game action again this weekend.
The Yankees right-hander has yet to pitch this season due to rotator cuff and lat issues. Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Severino pitched a simulated game in Tampa, Florida, earlier in the day and tossed 35 pitches. He appears to be on track to begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday.
"Threw the ball well. Second inning was even sharper," Boone said of Severino. "So assuming (he) comes in (Wednesday) and everything is good to go, probably looking at a Sunday start, probably in Trenton because I think it looks like there is a storm heading to Tampa. We're taking it a step at a time and seeing how he responds. The plan probably would be Sunday, 35 pitches in the game. Sunday is the next step."
Boone said he's confident Severino will contribute to the Yankees in the postseason, but what role exactly he'll play will be determined over the course of the next month. With the minor leagues wrapping up, it will be a challenge to prepare Severino to go the distance of a conventional starter, meaning he could serve more as an opener or come out of the bullpen.
As for other Yankees injury updates:
• Dellin Betances is scheduled to face live batters for the second time Wednesday in Tampa. Like Severino, shoulder and lat injuries have kept the four-time All-Star reliever out of action all season.
• First baseman Luke Voit went for 3-for-5 with two RBIs on Tuesday night in his rehab appearance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The plan for him is to play in one more minor league game before rejoining the Yankees on Friday, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported. Voit was placed on the injured list July 31 with a sports hernia.
• Giancarlo Stanton took batting practice Tuesday before the Yankees' game in Seattle. It's still unclear when the slugger might return. Stanton has played in just nine games this season, as he's been plagued by knee, biceps, shoulder and calf injuries.
Giancarlo Stanton loading . . . pic.twitter.com/ZwcENxxMcy
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 28, 2019• Boone said he hopes either Didi Gregorius (bone bruise in shoulder) and Cameron Maybin (wrist soreness), or both, will be available to play Wednesday. Gregorious has been out since he was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Dodgers. Maybin hasn't played since Saturday. "I do feel like it's a day-to-day (situation) and possibly see one or both Didi or Cam possibly (Wednesday)," Boone said. "We'll see where we are."
• Center fielder Aaron Hicks, who was placed on the IL on Aug. 4 with a flexor strain in his right elbow, will be re-evaluated when the Yankees return to New York later this week, and the hope is that he will begin a throwing program soon, Boone said.
• Edwin Encarnacion could begin facing live pitching soon, Boone said. The first baseman/designated hitter, who suffered a fractured wrist when he was by a pitch against the Red Sox on Aug. 3, has been hitting off a tee, fielding and throwing.
WFAN is the flagship station of the Yankees. Tune in to 660 AM or 101.9 FM this season to hear all the action.
