Luis Severino ‘highly unlikely’ to be ready for Opening Day

Luis Severino is highly unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after experiencing shoulder issues on Tuesday.

Severino was scratched from his Grapefruit League start due to shoulder problems and underwent an MRI. The MRI showed inflammation, so the New York Yankees pitcher will be shut down for two weeks and be treated with anti-inflammatories.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Severino was “highly unlikely” to be ready when the team begins its season.

Yankees' manager Aaron Boone told reporters that it's "highly unlikely" that Luis Severino will be ready for Opening Day. Severino was scratched from today's start after discomfort in his right shoulder and an MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation.https://t.co/bsonTjjJLj

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 5, 2019

Severino went 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 191.1 innings last season. It was his second straight strong season, as he went 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA in 2017.

The Yankees also have Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, JA Happ and CC Sabathia in their planned rotation. They reportedly have interest in Gio Gonzalez as well.