DETROIT _ Six months after shutting down in spring training, Luis Severino's 2019 season is finally ready to begin.
The right-handed ace is scheduled to start Tuesday night, when the Yankees open a homestand against the Los Angeles Angels.
Severino will join the Yankees this weekend in Toronto and "the thought is he'll probably start on Tuesday," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said prior to Thursday afternoon's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.
As the Yankees barrel toward their first division title since 2012, "no question we're excited to get him back," Boone said of Severino, who'll have about three starts before the postseason begins.
Initially sidelined with right shoulder inflammation, Severino developed a Grade 2 lat strain during his initial rehab, setting him back another two-plus months.
Physically, "I feel like his progression has gone really smooth," Boone said. "And the fact that he's up over 65 (pitches) now... hopefully allows him to continue to build up, find that consistency.
"He can be a game-changer guy for us, no question."
On Wednesday night, making his third rehab start, Severino was charged with one earned run in 3.2 innings, yielding five hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Watching part of that game via video, Boone came away feeling that Severino's "command looked pretty good, (he) flashed all of his pitches, the velocity was there.
"Now, it's just a matter of getting real sharp. You can tell he feels good, the stuff is there."
