Yankees: Luis Severino rehab update should have you irrationally excited

The New York Yankees have a “boom”-worthy rotation, if all the pieces fall into place.

But you know what? Even if they don’t? It’s still perfectly alright to be excited about an ahead-of-schedule update like this about Luis Severino’s rehab progress.

Don’t be scared of being excited. It’s actually fun and good.

Somehow, we’ve found something even sillier than judging Gary Sanchez’s progress based on 13 spring at-bats, and have now chosen to judge Severino based on 20 fastballs, all of which popped the mitt Wednesday morning in Florida.

But we’re not judging his efforts solely on the output. We’re more so blown away by the quotes from his manager and teammates.

Severino, who is expected back sometime mid-summer after undergoing Tommy John surgery in February of last year (what a killer), reportedly looks ready now.

First of all, good on Boonie for cautioning Severino against coming out too hot, something that Clarke Schmidt famously did a few weeks back before leaving camp hobbled. Zack Britton, also trying to make up for lost time following a COVID setback, could be considered in the same camp.

The last thing we need is Severino arm-hustling for no reason too early. Like Clint Frazier running into another wall. Like Luke Voit trying to tag up on a balky knee from second to third on a fly out to left Thursday. We could go on.

Yankees’ latest Luis Severino update: very, very good

Reporters also caught up with Chad Green following Severino’s first time on a mound, and though he missed it, he concurred that Sevy looks like someone who’s ready to go now based on the way the ball’s popping out of his hand.

Now, reminder: the Yankees don’t need Luis Severino for March and April. They need him for the stretch run and postseason. There’s no reason he should sprint his way back into shape.

He also hasn’t thrown a breaking ball off a mound yet.

But so far, so very good for the righty, who appears to be seamlessly advancing toward contributing for this team the way it was all envisioned last year.

The man who’s taken the rotation’s reins during his extended absence is pretty good himself, and after Gerrit Cole showed his mettle on the mound Thursday, he, too, complimented Sevy on his recent arsenal.

Let’s hope these two texting buddies are side-by-side, leading a summer resurgence.

All systems aren’t “go” just yet, but we’re certainly getting there.

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