OAKLAND -- Luis Severino is expected to resume playing catch this weekend as he recovers from a strained right triceps, though the Yankees have not yet determined if the right-hander's rotation spot will be reserved for him.
Severino was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being forced to leave a May 13 start against the White Sox, and the Yankees may have a rotation crunch on the horizon, with Ivan Nova having pitched well and CC Sabathia set to be activated Friday.
"Well, we haven't talked about any changes," manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously the biggest thing is you've got to get [Severino] healthy and see where he's at. We haven't talked about, 'This is what we're going to do.'"
Severino is 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA in seven starts, a surprising turn of events after he impressed in his first 11 outings at the end of the 2015 campaign, going 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA.
"The big thing is, we've got to get him right," Girardi said. "Similar to Michael [Pineda], there's talent there."
Girardi said that he expects that Severino will need to make at least one Minor League rehabilitation start, so there should be extra time for the Yankees to ponder their decision.
In the meantime, Nova pitched well in his first two starts against the Royals and White Sox, prompting speculation that Severino (or perhaps Pineda, who is 1-5 with a 6.60 ERA as he works to correct his issues in the stretch position) could be the odd man out if and when a move is made.
"[We'll decide] down the road. It doesn't make sense to do it right now," Girardi said. "There are a lot of things that can happen between today, tomorrow and the next day. I've always told you, I cross the bridges when we get there. It doesn't make any sense."