Latest Yankees' Injury Updates on Luis Severino, Greg Bird, Giancarlo Stanton and Dellin Betances

Despite owning the best record in the American League, the New York Yankees could be a lot more potent when they get some key players back from the injured list.

However, they'll have to wait till at least August to get the likes of Luis Severino, Dellin Betances, Giancarlo Stanton and Greg Bird on the field.

Staff ace Luis Severino has missed the entire season with a Grade 2 lat strain, and the plan is for him to begin throwing very soon and could be back at the earliest in late August.

"Sevy is getting close (to throwing). Sevy might be slightly ahead of (Betances)," manager Aaron Boone said. "Possibly this time next week he can start playing catch again. I expect both (Severino and Betances) back, but I’m going to stop guessing on the time. I just want them to be right and when they are back that they have a chance to be real factors for us. We all know what they’re capable of.”

Speaking of Betances, who just like Severino has yet to make a big league appearance this season, he's out with right shoulder inflammation and a lat strain. Betances may not begin throwing before Severino, but the Yankees do hope to have him back sometime in mid-August.

Giancarlo Stanton has dealt with a myriad of injuries this season, but the most recent ailment keeping him on the shelf is a right knee sprain. New York hopes to get him back in late July, but with the way his season has gone, I'm sure they'll want to make sure he's close to 100%.

As for Greg Bird, there's a chance he doesn't return this season.

“Birdie is still (progressing) slow. That plantar fascia can be a pain, so we’re just continuing to work there and get answers and try to get him running.”

At the earliest, Bird won't be back until September. However, with Luke Voit doing the job at first base and the addition of Edwin Encarnacion, who can play first, the Yankees won't rush him back from plantar fasciitis.