How Yankees are trying to protect Luis Severino

The Yankees are being careful with ace starting pitcher Luis Severino, using the All-Star break to …

CLEVELAND — The Yankees are using the All-Star break to make sure their rotation’s only sure thing doesn’t break.

Ace Luis Severino won’t start again until the Yankees travel to Tampa to face the Rays on May 24.

That’s a 12-day break for the 24-year-old, who will attend his first All-Star Game on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Domingo German will make the Yankees’ first start from the All-Star break on Friday. Sonny Gray will pitch Saturday. Masahiro Tanaka will follow Sunday. Then it’s Severino, followed by CC Sabathia.

Manager Aaron Boone said he’s not worried about the health of Severino, who’s been a workhorse and maybe the best pitcher in the American League, posting a 2.31 ERA with a 14-2 record in 20 starts.

“No red flags or anything that I’m overly concerned about,” Boone said, “but there’s no doubt I think he’ll benefit from having essentially what works as a skipped turn. My guess is he’ll probably throw and inning in the All-Star Game, which can kind of work like a side for him. I think that break at this point of the season, as much as we’ve leaned on him, hopefully it’s something that can be real beneficial for him.”

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Severino has pitched 128 1/3 innings. Before last year’s All-Star break, Severino threw 106 2/3. He finished the 2017 season with 193 1/3 innings.

Severino got didn’t look so great in his last start. With his velocity slightly down and his stuff flatter than usual, he gave up four runs in five innings, including two home runs, against the Indians on Thursday.

“I think his innings are up and we’re cognizant of always trying to, if we can, steal him an extra day … we try and do that, whether it be around an off day or whatever,” Boone said. 

“So I feel like we’ve done OK with that. I think in his last start, everything was a little flatter. But that could also be, a starting pitcher is going to have those ones where they’re not as dominant. So I’m not too concerned but I do think a little extended break here will hopefully be something that allows him to be fresher. for the second half.”

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