Jul 6, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) reacts during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
(New York, NY) — The Luis Severino era is over, sort of.
Reliever Ian Hamilton will open tonight’s game for the Yankees against the White Sox, according to Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media.
It’s an interesting development for the Bombers, being it’s Severino’s turn in the rotation.
“We’re considering everything,” manager Aaron Boone said when asked about his struggling pitcher Tuesday night.
With a relatively fresh bullpen and a day off Thursday, it was the perfect time to skip the 29-year-old’s spot in the rotation.
Severino, who has a 13.85 ERA in the first inning, could still potentially pitch in this game, he will just not be starting it.
“I’m not going to lie, every time I give up a homer or a run in the first inning, [I think] ‘Jesus Christ, what am I doing?” the starter said after his last appearance against the Astros in the Bronx. “I start looking at different stuff. Is this mechanical, is this tipping?”
Through 13 starts, the former All-Star has a unspeakable 7.74 ERA. That would be the highest in baseball by a considerable margin, but Severino doesn’t qualify because he has only thrown 61 ²/₃ innings thanks to an injury-plagued season.
“I’m having a tough time getting people out.”
Well, that’s for sure.
Hopefully moving Sevy to the bullpen will iron out his struggles, but right now, there is nothing to suggest the righty is remotely close to returning to form.
The truth is, Severino may never get a chance at redemption in a Yankees uniform. The right hander’s contract expires at the end of the season.
As for Hamilton, Wednesday marks the 28-year-old’s second career start, with the first coming on July 1 in a win against the St. Louis Cardinals.
