Luis Severino shut down with rotator cuff inflammation

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has rotator cuff inflammation, per the Yankees beat folks on Twitter. Severino was scratched from his start today due to shoulder soreness, and underwent an MRI, which showed the rotator cuff problem. The reports are that he will be shut down for the next two weeks.

This would seem to make it unlikely that the 25 year old, who just signed a 4 year, $40 million extension, will be ready to go for Opening Day, which for the Yankees is March 28, 2019 — just 23 days away. Severino will have to resume throwing after the two week shut down period, and even if he is healthy and ready to move forward from that point, it would be a stretch for him to be ready to start the season on the active roster.

The Yankees’ starting pitching depth is a bit of a concern, with James Paxton, who has battled injuries his whole career, slated to be their #2 starter, and Masahiro Tanaka, who has been pitching with a damaged UCL, as their #3 starter. The Rangers were listening on Mike Minor all offseason, and have three other pitchers slated to be in their rotation who are on one year deals, so if the Yankees’ rotation gets leaky this summer, they could end up looking to the Rangers for trade reinforcements.