Yankee pitcher Luis Severino was placed on the COVID-19 injured list, the team announced on Thursday.
The Yankees expect to know more later on in the evening, manager Aaron Boone told reporters before their Thursday night matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays. He had only been placed on the COVID list, but had not officially tested positive for the virus when Boone addressed the media.
Severino began feeling sick on Wednesday night and had a fever and chills. The good news early on was that Severino’s rapid test did return a negative result.
Clarke Schmidt was scheduled to start in Severino’s place on Thursday and Ryan Weber was given the roster spot. Boone had let Schmidt know in the early afternoon on Thursday that he would be taking the mound.
“We started planning a little bit last night if Sevy wasn’t able to go,” Boone said. “(Schmidt) is ready to role, fired up and I just feel like he’s the right guy in getting things off for us tonight.”
Severino has taken the mound for 61 innings for the Yankees during their stellar 46–16 run that has seen the Bronx Bombers take a 9-game lead in the AL East into Thursday.
Severino has served in crucial spots for the Bronx Bombers during the still-young season, with his latest outing coming on June 10th, when he tossed 6 innings with just 1 earned-run.
The Yankees originally signed Severino while he was an international free agent in 2011, and he has served as a consistent option for New York while bouncing between the majors and the minor leagues.
For more coverage of Luis Severino and the Yankees, head to amNY.com.
His absence on the COVID-19 list will hamper the Yankees bullpen, which has been stellar all season, with a combined 2.81 ERA and a .742 win percentage.
Severino has played in 11 games this year, and has recorded a 6–1 win-to-loss ratio.
Now in his 7th season, the 28-year-old righty has found his place on a pitching staff in the Bronx that has propelled itself to the top of the statistical standings in the league.
