Luis Severino thinks he can return before All-Star break

Luis Severino appears to be nearing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The injured New York Yankees righty said on Tuesday that he made 50 throws at 60 feet the day before and feels encouraged, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Severino also said that his next step is to throw on back-to-back days and that he believes he can return before the All-Star break in early July.

Severino, 25, has yet to pitch for the team this season due to a lat strain and discomfort in his right shoulder. At full health in 2018, Severino went 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA and 220 strikeouts, good for his second straight All-Star nod.

The Yankees, who are in first place in the AL East at 38-20, are in the market for some big-name pitching help, but the cavalry could be back soon enough.