4 things that could be wrong with Yankees’ Luis Severino

Breaking down what could be wrong with Yankees ace Luis Severino, who was knocked around again in a loss to the Mets on Monday.

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NEW YORK — Luis Severino‘s biggest problem seems to be that nobody knows what’s wrong with him.

Least of all himself.

The Yankees‘ struggling ace was at a loss Monday following yet another terrible performance in a string of them.

This time, it led to an 8-5 loss to the Mets at Yankee Stadium.

Severino lasted just four innings — his shortest start of the season — giving up four earned runs on seven hits, a walk and two home runs, including Amed Rosario’s leadoff shot.

“I feel good,” he said. “I try and go over there and perform 100 percent but things are not going my way right now but I know I will work and try to fix it.”

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Severino has surrendered at least a home run in six straight starts.

What’s going on?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I keep doing the same mistakes over and over, missing with my fastball.”

He added, “I think it’s nothing out of the ordinary that’s going on. I just need to keep working and give it 100 percent whenever they give me the ball.”

Let’s rank what’s probably wrong with him.

4. HE’S HURT

This doesn’t seem likely. Severino’s fastball averaged 97.2 mph Monday, barely slower than his 98.1 season average. Velocity drops tend to signal injury. Note how closer Aroldis Chapman is dealing with left knee tendinitis and his fastball, while it’s still averaging in the high-90s, is a bit slower than usual. Manager Aaron Boone said he didn’t think Severino was hurt

“We check all the time,” Boone said. “We keep checking wit him. monitor him between starts and everything. I think he’s OK. We’ve seen enough flashes that he looks like Sevy. But a little bit of flatness which teams have taken advantage of with some slug.”

3. HE’S TIPPING PITCHES

This has been something that’s popped up for Severino in the past. Boone said he might have been doing it in Boston this year. “He’s had it as part of his challenges. So is it a concern? I mean, obviously when he does we obviously address it and move forward,” general manager Brian Cashman said earlier this year. “Sometimes he does it, sometimes he doesn’t do it. When he does obviously he gets reminded about it and works on it.”

2. HE’S JUST STRUGGLING

This happens. Catcher Austin Romine said Monday that while Severino’s “stuff is still there, still sharp,” he wasn’t always locating. Severino said the same, talking about missing with his fastball.

1. HE’S TIRED

Severino has thrown 154 1/3 innings. Through this time last year, he had thrown 143 2/3. Not that big of a difference. But it’s not always workload that causes fatigue. Lots of things could contribute to that. At the moment, Severino seems like he could be gassed. He’ll show the stuff that makes him one of baseball’s elite starting pitchers in one at-bat, and then next, he’s a bit off. When you’re tired, it’s harder to concentrate, though you can still do your job and fake it the best you can.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.