VIDEO: Luis Severino Seen Throwing Off Mound for First Time This Season

It's been a long road to recovery for Luis Severino, as the Yankees' starter has been sidelined with a variety of ailments. Expected to anchor the team's rotation, Severino has yet to make an appearance in 2019 while he's dealt with rotator cuff issues and a lat strain. Well, it looks like Severino is getting closer to returning to action. He was seen today throwing off a mound for the first time all year, a major stepping stone in his recovery.

If that doesn't have Yankee fans drooling, I'm not sure what will. Despite all the injuries to players within the organization, the Bombers' lineup has stayed strong throughout. The pitching staff has been far less consistent, so getting Severino back before October could be pivotal.

Severino was initially scratched from his Spring Training start back in early March as he dealt with shoulder discomfort. That led to him missing the remainder of the preseason action. He then suffered a multitude of setbacks, most notably his strained lat, which further extended his stint on the shelf.

As the season begins to wind down, it remains to be seen in what capacity Severino will be able to contribute this year. Given the amount of time he's spent on the shelf, it seems unlikely he'll be thrown back into the mix as a starter right away. The current expectation is that he'll return sometime in September, along with fellow victim of the injury bug, Giancarlo Stanton.

Considering Severino's numbers from his impressive 2018 season, he would be a big boost for the Yankees in any form, whether it be in relief or as a starter. Last season, Severino posted a 19-8 record, striking out 220 across 191.1 innings with a 3.39 ERA, earning his second All-Star nod.