3 Starting Pitchers Yankees Can Sign After Luis Severino Injury News

The New York Yankees received bad news Tuesday when it was announced that Luis Severino has been recommended for Tommy John surgery, which will cause him to miss the entire 2020 season. His recovery will also stretch into 2021. This means the Yankees need to add an arm to the rotation, if at all possible, and there are several good options remaining via free agency.

3. Danny Salazar

Danny Salazar could turn his career around with the Yankees. / David Maxwell/Getty Images

Danny Salazar would be a sort of reclamation project for the Yankees. He has dealt with injuries since 2017, and only made one start for the Cleveland Indians in 2019 before going out with another, unrelated issue to his shoulder health. He is an All-Star-caliber pitcher when healthy, and would only be relied upon as the fifth starter in New York. He could lower his velocity and take some stress off his body in such a role, which could get his career back on track.

2. Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana is a veteran option for the Yankees. / G Fiume/Getty Images

Ervin Santana was an All-Star in 2017, but has only made eight starts since then. He was cut by the Chicago White Sox after three starts in 2019, and failed to reach the majors with the New York Mets after that. Santana has a career 4.09 ERA and threw 211.1 innings in 2017 with 167 strikeouts. Being the fifth starter would not make every outing do-or-die, and getting near his career average ERA should be good enough for the Yankees.

1. Collin McHugh

Collin McHugh can return to being a starter with the Yankees. / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Collin McHugh was a regular starter from 2014-2017 with the Houston Astros. He was then relegated to the bullpen, and now finds himself a free agent. McHugh is an intriguing option because he is capable of going to the bullpen if he struggles as a starter. That allows the Yankees to promote an internal option and gain a player who posted a 1.99 ERA out of the bullpen in 2018.