Severino's season over before it starts as Yankees star undergoes Tommy John surgery

Luis Severino will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in a huge blow for MLB championship aspirants the New York Yankees.

Severino's season is over before it starts after being diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced on Tuesday.

A two-time All-Star – who was limited to just three regular-season starts in 2019 – Severino experienced discomfort during the American League Championship Series (ALCS) clash against the Houston Astros last term.

"Sevy has acknowledged and agreed the surgery is necessary," Cashman said during the Yankees' 4-1 preseason win over the Blue Jays.

"His plan is to have it done as soon as possible. He's obviously contemplating the doctors and who to do it with."

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"My gut is, it's something that dates back to when he started feeling something [during the ALCS]," Cashman added. "The prior MRIs had no problem, and the point of injury was not around the ligament.

"Our athletic trainers, our physical therapists and the orthopaedics who examined him both in Tampa and New York could not produce anything that showed the ligament issue in any shape or form [until Tuesday]."

In 99 games and 88 starts since 2015, Severino has 42 wins and 589 strikeouts for the Yankees.

"My immediate reaction is just kind of feeling for him, wanting to check in with him and seeing how he's feeling," manager Aaron Boone said. "Obviously, it's losing a great pitcher, but we'll manage it. We'll figure it out and just try and support Sevy right now."

Published 26 Feb 2020, 07:30 IST