Yankees' Severino likely headed to IL with lat strain

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Saturday that right-hander Luis Severino has a low-grade right lat strain and is expected to begin the season on the injured list, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Boone added that Clarke Schmidt is in line to start the second game of the campaign behind Gerrit Cole who'll pitch Opening Day.

The skipper said Jhony Brito is an option for a No. 5 starter if needed.

The oft-injured Severino posted a 9.00 ERA in five spring starts, surrendering 15 earned runs and six homers over 15 innings. The two-time All-Star has made a combined 22 regular-season starts since 2019.

"I thought this was going to be a year with no injuries," Severino said Sunday. "Hopefully it's better to happen now than at the middle or the end of the season. If that means (missing) three or four starts (so that) I can be good for the rest of the season, I'd be blessed."

The Yankees will start the season with a decimated rotation, as Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodon are also sidelined.