Luis Severino Recommended to Undergo Tommy John Surgery in Brutal Yankees Injury Update

The New York Yankees envisioned a dominant starting rotation led by Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, James Paxton, and Masahiro Tanaka. We're not even through February yet, and half of that rotation has already suffered serious injuries, with the latest medical news surrounding Severino serving as a brutal gut punch for Yankees fans.

Severino, 26, went to New York after yet another injury to his right arm, and the battery of tests he underwent showed something which caused doctors to recommend Tommy John surgery, according to Yankees GM Brian Cashman.

Luis Severino Contract

Severino signed a 4-year extension in 2019, which was set to pay him $40 million through 2023.

Severino was an All-Star in 2017 and 2018, going 33-14 with a 3.18 ERA in 63 starts, striking out 10.5 batters per nine innings on the back of an explosive fastball and sharp, breaking slider.

Tommy John Recovery

The typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months.

2019 was almost a complete wash, as he was limited to just three regular season and two postseason starts due to injury. He was still extremely effective in those games, but the Yankees have to worry about his long-term viability now that he is likely going to miss the entire 2020 campaign, and a good portion of 2021.

What was supposed to be one of the most dominant comeback seasons in recent memory has likely been taken away from us. If he goes through with surgery, Severino will have essentially missed the entirety of two consecutive seasons, which will only leave Yankees fans wondering what could have been.