TAMPA, Fla. _ Brian Cashman typically takes the cautious route when it comes to injuries. The Yankees GM was no different discussing Luis Severino late Wednesday morning.
While saying the initial MRI taken Tuesday afternoon that showed inflammation in the right-hander's right rotator cuff left him somewhat "optimistic," there quickly came a qualifier.
"It's obviously a concerning situation until he's on the mound for a consistent period of time to the point you forget that it ever happened," Cashman said. "We're obviously a long way from that."
The 25-year-old Severino cut his bullpen session short as he warmed up for a scheduled start Tuesday afternoon because he felt discomfort in the shoulder after throwing a slider and is shut down for the next two weeks.
But, again, a cautionary note.
"And it doesn't even guarantee it won't be more than two weeks," Cashman said.
Because Tuesday was to be Severino's first start of the spring, his spring training clock will be essentially reset when he begins his throwing program. That likely means, at best, a return by late April or early May.
In the meantime, Cashman said, the options for replacing Severino, who received a cortisone shot Wednesday, are in camp. Jonathan Loaisiga, a 24-year-old righty who made four starts last season and started Wednesday's exhibition game, is one option, as is right-hander Domingo German, a 26-year-old who made 14 big-league starts last season. Twenty-six-year-old right-hander Luis Cessa, who has made 19 starts over the last three seasons but who is out of options and was all but certain to make the bullpen out of camp, could also get a start or two. Two of the those pitchers will probably get starts when the season begins because it's likely CC Sabathia, who only threw his first bullpen of the spring Wednesday as he's being brought along at a slower-than-usual pace because of another offseason procedure on his right knee, could start the season on the disabled list. Additionally, when he is active, Sabathia will have to serve the five-game suspension he received last September for intentionally hitting the Rays' Jesus Sucre.
"I like a lot of the personnel we have," Cashman said.
Though plenty of fans are clamoring for it, don't expect Cashman to go the free-agent route where pitchers such as Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez are available.
"What I've got is what I've got and we're comfortable with that," Cashman said.
Not that there won't be roster alterations.
"We also recognize that as the season plays out we're going to have to add to this group regardless," Cashman said. "More realistic additions will come after the draft (in June), but you never know. Can't rule anything out, but I'd say the main focus is what we have."
As for Severino, who signed a four-year $40 million extension Feb. 15, Wednesday morning he characterized himself as "a little concerned," but ultimately confident the issue is a short-term one.
"I feel I'm going to get better before that," Severino said of the two weeks he'll be shut down. "I feel a little pain when I try to lift my arm but my strength is the same (in the shoulder), that's why I feel it's nothing bad."
Aaron Boone said from the first day of camp that Severino would start Opening Day, plans that obviously have changed. It will be Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton or J.A. Happ taking Severino's place.
"It's frustrating because you don't get to play baseball, this is the game that I love and I want to be there for the first game," Severino said. "It's going to be tough for a little bit, but like I said it's better to happen now than in midseason or at the end of the season. God has a plan for everybody, so it's better now than later."
