CLEVELAND -- Luis Severino's stellar first half could secure a starting nod in the upcoming All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX). It will also earn the right-hander a few extra days of rest when the Yankees resume play, as manager Aaron Boone outlined the club's pitching plans returning from the break.
Severino is set to return to action on July 23, opening the Yankees' three-game series at Tropicana Field against the Rays, to be followed by Carsten Sabathia. Boone said that the Yankees will start Domingo German, Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka in the Subway Series against the Mets next weekend.
"With CC, and obviously with Sevy going to the All-Star Game, it gives them both a little extra time between their outings, which we feel like they both could really use," Boone said. "With German and Tanaka, they'd both be going on their seventh day, so they get a little built in extra [rest]."
Severino completed the first half with a 14-2 record and a 2.31 ERA, permitting 97 hits and 32 walks against 144 strikeouts over 128 1/3 innings.
His performance dipped somewhat in his last two starts, a pair of five-inning efforts against the Blue Jays and Indians in which he allowed a combined seven runs, 14 hits and four homers (6.30 ERA). Boone said that there were no red flags to speak of from those efforts, other than his rising workload.
"I think his innings are up," Boone said. "We're cognizant of, if we can steal him an extra day, we try and do that -- whether it be around an off-day or whatever. I feel like we've done OK with that. I think in his last start everything was a little flatter, but a starting pitcher is going to have those ones where they're not as dominant."
Severino had suggested that he might have been tipping pitches to the Indians, who peppered him for four runs and nine hits in Thursday's 7-4 Yankees victory, but Boone said that there were no indications of that. Boone said that Severino checked out fine physically as well.
"There's no doubt I think he'll benefit from having essentially what almost works as a skipped turn in the rotation," Boone said. "My guess is he'll probably throw an inning in the All-Star Game, which hopefully can work like a side for him.
"I think that break at this point in the season, as much as we've leaned on him, hopefully it'll be something that is real beneficial for him."
Frazier optioned
Four factory-fresh stars-and-stripes duffel bags appeared in the Yankees' clubhouse after Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Indians, assigned to ferry the belongings of Albertin Chapman, Aaron Judge, Severino and Gleyber Torres to the All-Star Game in Washington. The rest of their teammates were planning on a few days of rest and relaxation, preparing for the second half.
Not Clint Frazier. He was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, as the club evidently wants the outfielder to log consistent at-bats. Frazier will join the RailRiders on the road for their series in Toledo, a 115-mile drive from Progressive Field. This marks Frazier's fourth round trip between Triple-A and the Majors in 2018.
Frazier is batting .265 (9-for-34) with three doubles, an RBI and five walks in 15 big league games. He is hitting .312/.391/.577 in 189 Triple-A at-bats. No corresponding roster move was announced by the Yankees.
Seeing red
Derek Jeter and Joe Torre used to say that it was impossible to ignore the out-of-town scoreboards in big league ballparks, simply based upon their sheer size.
That has proven true for the Yankees of late, as they have been kept apprised of the Red Sox's ongoing success. When Boston pulled out a 6-2, 10-inning victory on Saturday, backed by Xander Bogaerts' deciding grand slam, Boone could do little but allow himself a chuckle.
"I see that they win every day," Boone said. "Honestly, I don't worry about it that much at this point. I just kind of smile at it. The bottom line is, we don't control anything [they do] and it's July. There's a long way [to go] and a lot of baseball to play. There's nothing you can do to worry about it.
"We're so uber-focused on us. In the end, if we take care of business and play to our capabilities, we'll put ourselves in a great position. I see that they win every day, but I don't really worry about it. I'm worried about us playing our best. If we do that, hopefully we'll get to where we want to go."
Comeback trail
Gary Sanchez (right groin strain) began his Minor League rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, catching seven innings and going 1-for-3 with a solo homer in the RailRiders' 3-1 win over Rochester. Sanchez will travel with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for its upcoming trip to Toledo and is on track to return to the Yankees for Friday's game against the Mets.
Gleyber Torres (right hip strain) took on-field batting practice at Progressive Field on Sunday, blasting several homers. He hit alongside Bombers third-base coach Phil Nevin, who stepped into the batting cage and connected on a few well-hit liners.
This date in Yankees history
July 15, 2008: Yankee Stadium plays host to the All-Star Game, with the American League defeating the National League, 4-3, in 15 innings. The four-hour, 50-minute affair is the longest Midsummer Classic ever played.