Luis Severino’s Emotional 2023 Season: A Tale of Injury-Plagued Moments that Don’t Define the Rest of His Yankees Career

Luis Severino’s career took a turn in a direction that he never expected. While the 2015 New York Yankees debutant made an entry to envy, his tenure at NY aged poorly. Injuries marred 2023 for the Bronx Bombers and Severino’s was one great blow! While the pitcher has displayed great offense in the past, his 70th pitch of 2023 was anticlimactic. 

It all dates back to September during the Yankees’ 2-8 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the top of the 5th inning, the right-hander gave up a leadoff single to Brice Turang before exiting mid-game due to an acute left-side injury. The timing of the injury couldn’t have been more sinister. Notably, Severino, who is 29 years old and heading toward free agency, wound up with an ERA of 6.65. 

A Pivotal Moment In 2023 That Could Potentially End his Run with the Yankees

Injuries have severely disrupted Luis Severino’s career, which once seemed promising. This has become a recurring issue that he has been dealing with since 2019. The Yankees starter’s offseason options were already unclear prior to his oblique injury; this most recent setback might have made his chances more bleak. It’s worth looking at the details. 

It has been unclear what kind of market he would have in the upcoming offseason even before this most recent setback of his. The prognosis further muddled up Severino’s future in the league and subsequently his future with the Yankees is in jeopardy. The dip in performance owing to an injury stained period, adds another layer of uncertainty to a Pinstripes’ season beset by setbacks. Both the  and their hurler are at a crossroads about the crucial choices regarding their future this off-season. 

Luis Severino’s Emotional, and Injury Filled Rollercoaster Journey

Then there came a time when he faced the YES cameras fighting back tears. Severino was seen struggling, physically and emotionally, as he addressed the injury that forced him out of Yankee Stadium. The imminent conclusion of his career in the Pinstripes was nothing but haunting. 

When asked to describe the pain, he said, “I feel like somebody shot me.” He bowed his head and answered further questions, masking his tears. Asking anything more from the eight-year Bronx veteran who had probably thrown his final pitch for the Yankees was out of the question. As the Yankees bid farewell to 2023 after their disappointing playoff-less performance, maybe another farewell tagged along. Manager Aaron Boone addressing the Severino-uncertainty said, “You never want to see that”. 

It is now November, and the Sabana de la Mar-born is a free agent. That said, speculatively, there is very little chance that he will sign with the Yankees again. Having missed most of the previous four seasons due to injuries, he never fully restored his 2018 power. Since then, the Cy Young award finalist, who turns 30 in February, hasn’t played in more than 19 games during the regular season. 

How Severino and Injuries Have Gone Together in the Recent Seasons

The Yankees signed Severino to a four-year, $40MM extension before the 2019 season because of his stellar start to the career. The fact that the Pinstripes made this unusual move was proof that the hurler showed immense promise. It’s worth noting that NYY is a team that typically doesn’t look into contract extensions on a general principle basis. That said, maybe the Yanks regretted a notch seeing the 2018-All Star’s career collapse. Between 2019 and 21 he pitched just 18 big league innings. Reason? His Tommy John surgery, followed by groin, lat, and shoulder issues, played a part in those three lost seasons.

Severino was sidelined by more lat strains in 2022. Yet he was able to pitch 102 innings and record a 3.18 ERA in 2023. In lieu of the potential he showed, the Bombers decided to exercise their $15MM club option on the right-handed. This turned out to be another misstep for the Yanks. The injuries happened again. Oblique and lat strains that followed this time led to his lowest in his career. 

Is There Still an Upside to Luis Severino?

Lius had a career-worst 6.65 ERA in 2023, with 79 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings. He also posted a 4-8 record. It should not be overlooked, though, that Severino is a two-time All-Star and was a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award in 2017. That time he recorded a 2.98 ERA over 31 starts with 230 strikeouts. 

The former Yankees right-hander Luis Severino has drawn interest from the Mets. His trip through free agency may take him to a different segment of New York, says Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 1994-born and Mets officials are scheduled to meet in order to discuss the likelihood of a deal that might materialize in 2024. While the man shows promise, the unfortunate occurrences with respect to his health are a risk the Mets must deal with if they were to sign Sevy after all. 

Read More: “Deep, Sharp Pain”: Entering the Late Season With Very High Expectations, $40M Yankees Pitcher Gets Emotional During Heartbreaking Exit

Although the Dominican doesn’t seem to be returning to the Yankees, at least eight teams have displayed in the two-time All-Star. Given the league’s general need for improving pitches and Severino’s potential to reclaim his glory, perhaps he will have a new team before the offseason concludes. 

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