The New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino, who hasn’t thrown a big-league pitch since the 2019 season, was activated prior to Monday’s series opener. The 27-year-old Severino has missed nearly two years recovering from Tommy John surgery, in addition to a prolonged absence during the 2019 season because of shoulder issues. Severino has made only three regular-season appearances since finishing ninth in Cy Young Award balloting back in 2018; his most recent regular-season appearance occurred on September 28, 2019.

When Severino is healthy, he’s been one of the better pitchers in the league. In 99 career appearances (88 of them starts) he has compiled a 3.46 ERA (125 ERA+) and a 3.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 2017-18, his 3.18 ERA (137 ERA+) and a 4.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 63 starts earned him Cy Young Award consideration in both of those seasons.

The Yankees are currently without Jonathan Loáisiga and Zack Britton, who is expected to miss the next year-plus himself after undergoing his own elbow surgery. New York holds a 83-67 record on the season as of Monday, putting them 1 1/2 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League’s second wild card spot. They are also 2 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox, the AL’s top wild card holder.

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