Yanks' Severino needs Tommy John surgery, will miss season.

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery.

The team said Tuesday the 26-year-old right-hander has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, a development that means the two-time All-Star will miss all of 2020 after being sidelined for nearly all of 2019.

Left-hander James Paxton already was projected to miss the first two months of the season following back surgery on Feb. 5. Domingo Germán must serve the final 63 games of an 81-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. He is eligible to return June 5, barring any postponements.

Severino's injury leaves the AL East favorites with a rotation of newly signed ace Gerrit Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and two openings. The usual recovery time for Tommy John surgery is a year or more.

“I don’t want to sugarcoat the fact that being without Sevy, that’s a blow, but it doesn’t change our expectations and what we’re truly capable of,” manager Aaron Boone said. “So, no, nothing changes.”

Lefty Jordan Montgomery, who came back in September from Tommy John surgery, has been throwing at up to 94 mph and is the leading candidate for one slot. Jonathan Loaisiga and rookies Deivi Garcia and Michael King are possibilities along with Luis Cessa.

“We’re always constantly looking for upgrades anyway,” general manager Brian Cashman said.

Elsewhere around the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues:

YANKEES 4, BLUE JAYS (SS) 1

Nick Tropeano allowed one hits in two innings and Brian Keller fanned the side as New York pitchers struck out 13.

Chris Iannetta had two hits and scored a run.

Santiago Espinal homered for the Blue Jays. Nate Pearson, Toronto's first-round draft pick in 2017, struck out the side in a one-inning start....

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Yanks-Severino-needs-Tommy-John-surgery-will-15084429.php