CLEVELAND — Aaron Boone announced his post All-Star break rotation when the Yankees open a three-game Subway Series on Friday against the Mets, and ace Luis Severino won’t make his next appearance until he faces the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., a week from Monday. Severino will be working on 10 days’ rest.
“With him having pitched Thursday, it’s an opportunity to give him a pretty good blow,” Boone said of Severino, who wasn’t sharp in his final two outings before the All-Star break.
Facing the Blue Jays and Indians before joining the AL All-Star team in Washington, Severino went 1-0 with an inflated 6.30 ERA. In 10 innings he allowed 14 hits and opposing batters hit .350 against him. Most alarming was him striking out just six in 10 innings, but only one in five-plus frames against the Indians on Thursday.
“No red flags and nothing I am concerned about but no doubt he will benefit from having what almost is having a skipped turn in the rotation,’’ Boone said of his ace, who is 14-2 with a 2.31 ERA and a strong AL Cy Young candidate. “My guess is that he will throw an inning in the All-Star Game, which will work like a [bullpen session]. I think that break at this point in the season, as much as we leaned on him, hopefully it will be something real beneficial for him. Hope the extended break will allow him to be a little fresher.’’
Domingo German, Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka line up to face the Mets. After Severino opens the series against the Rays, CC Sabathia starts the second game of that series. He will be working on eight days’ rest.
Until Gleyber Torres returns from the DL, Boone will continue to juggle left-handed hitting Tyler Wade and switch-hitter Neil Walker at second base. And it isn’t dictated by whether a righty or lefty is pitching for the opposition.
“Matchups and who we have on the mound, ground balls and fly balls,’’ Boone said. “I like Wade with [Sabathia] and [Gray].’’
With Tanaka starting Sunday against the Indians and right-hander Trevor Bauer going for the hosts, Boone used Walker, whose six at-bats (one hit) versus Bauer were six more than Wade against him.
Walker went 1-for-4 with a fourth-inning homer against Bauer.
Torres could be back by the July 23 game against the Rays.
Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 Sunday and hit .356 (16-for-45) with two homers and four RBIs in the 11-game road trip.
In his first minor league rehab game, Gary Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a homer on Sunday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Rochester.
Didi Gregorius got clipped on the right leg by Jason Kipnis sliding into second on a force play in the seventh. He was checked by trainer Steve Donohue, remained in the game and Boone said Gregorius was OK after the 5-2 loss.
The Yankees finished the season series against the Indians with a 5-2 record and have won seven of the past 10 season series against the Tribe going back to 2009.
Asked if his second ejection of the season Saturday night will come with a heavier fine than his first (May 22 at Texas), Boone said he expected it would.
“It might,” said Boone, whose fine will be determined by an old friend. “Hopefully Mr. Torre goes easy on me.’’
Boone said the reason he later admitted the umpires had the call right was simple.
“You asked me and I want all of us to be accountable and honest about things. When I am asked about it I think it’s important to say they got it right,’’ Boone said.
