Yankees' Luis Severino returns, Nathan Eovaldi put on DL
NEW YORK -- Luis Severino's return to the minor leagues was brief.
Two days after optioning the right-hander to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the New York Yankees recalled the 22-year-old from the Triple-A farm team Friday and said he would start Sunday's series finale against Tampa Bay.
New York placed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow tendon injury, a move retroactive to Thursday.
After Friday night's 6-3 win over the Rays in Alex Rodriguez's finale, it appeared the Yankees likely will bring up 24-year-old Tyler Austin, who is hitting .323 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 56 games for the RailRiders. Austin plays first base, corner outfield and third.
Eovaldi left his start at Boston on Wednesday after one inning, in which his fastball averaged 93.91 mph, down from 97.16 mph in his previous outing, according to Brooks Baseball. He had an MRI Thursday and was evaluated by team physician Christopher Ahmad. New York said only that Eovaldi will seek a second opinion.
Severino was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA as a rookie in the final two months of last season, then started this season 0-6, went on the disabled list and spent two months in the minors. He did not allow an earned run in three relief outings when he returned but gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings Tuesday against Boston, taking the loss.
New York had wanted him to work on his changeup in the minors.
"We'll do it in his bullpen, and hopefully it translates into the game on Sunday," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's not the ideal situation, but a lot of times when players get called back or called up, it's not the ideal situation and you've got to deal with it."
