MLB

Aaron Boone: Luis Severino’s next start could be with Yankees

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Published Sep. 7, 2019, 6:50 a.m. ET

BOSTON — Luis Severino gave up a homer and struck out five in three-plus innings of work for Double-A Trenton in his second rehab outing on Friday.

According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, his next appearance could be with the big league club. Severino, sidelined first with rotator cuff inflammation and then a strained lat, has missed the entire season.

“Overall, it was pretty successful,’’ Boone said after the Yankees lost 6-1 to the Red Sox. “We’ll talk about whether one more [minor league start] is beneficial or [if he will] come with us.”

Dellin Betances appeared in his first rehab outing for Trenton in the same game and pitched a scoreless inning. He also has missed the entire year, with first a shoulder injury and then a strained lat.

Boone said he expects Betances to stay in the minors to get more work, but their debuts with the Yankees don’t seem far off.

Both right-handers were with Trenton because of the uncertain weather Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was dealing with in its playoff series against Durham.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild has liked what he’s seen from Severino in both his bullpen sessions and the video of his previous outing with SWB.

“He’s looked good,’’ Rothschild said. “His arm strength is there, which is the big thing. It’s been a long time since he pitched. That game with Scranton was really his first game activity since spring training.”

Despite the lengthy absence, Rothschild is confident there’s enough time for Severino to be a major contributor.

“If he’s right, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is,’’ Rothschild said. “The spin of the breaking ball is there and his arm is strong. It’s just a matter of location and stamina.”

Boone said the Yankees intend to raise his pitch count considerably this month.

“I think there’s a chance with where the calendar is, he could get built up pretty high,’’ the manager said. “We could always throttle him back and I could see him in a variety of roles for us, but we want to make sure he’s physically sound and bouncing back. I think we all understand how valuable he can be to us.’’

Severino, who threw 50 pitches (37 strikes), told reporters in Trenton he felt he could get to 90-100 pitches before the end of the regular season.