Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino. Yankee fans have been itching to watch these two throw one after another during the upcoming season. Unfortunately, it will be quite some time until the baseball world is able to witness these guys dominate together. 

Severino is set to undergo the infamous Tommy John surgery this week. His 2020 season is over before it started, and a chunk of the 2021 season will also be taken away from him. Sevy broke the news via Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

After much consideration, as well as consultation with the Yankees organization, my family, and my representatives, I have elected to adhere to the advice of the medical professionals and undergo surgery to repair my injured elbow. I am extremely disappointed that I will not be able to put on a Yankees uniform and compete with my teammates this year, but I promise that I will be working tirelessly during this process to come back stronger than ever to make the greatest fans in baseball proud. Thank you to everyone that has reached out during this tough time. My family and I deeply appreciate the kind words and well wishes we have received. Through the long road ahead your continued support means the world to me. I will be back on the mound soon to help bring a championship back to the Bronx

A post shared by Luis Severino (@severino40) on Feb 25, 2020 at 4:37pm PST

This is a huge blow to the Yankees pitching staff. With James Paxton (back) expected to be out until May, and Domingo German still serving his suspension, the Yankees will have to look to other options.

Fortunately, the Yankees have options. Last season, the saying “Next Man Up” was all that you can hear from Yankee fans, players and coaches. This season is shaping up to potentially keep that phrase going, at least for the early half of the year.

Players like Mike Tauchman, Mike Ford, Clint Frazier, Gio Urshela and even German, were the ones that stepped up and created a special role for themselves in the 2019 season. As for the 2020 season, the Yankees have themselves a good amount of depth at each position.

When it comes to their pitching staff, Cole and Masahiro Tanaka will be the one and two starters, respectively, to begin the year. With Sevy and Paxton out, look for J.A. Happ and Jordan Montgomery to fill the three and four holes. 

The five spot is still up in the air. Many names are being thrown around for who may occupy that spot in the rotation. Jonathan Loaisiga, Michael King and David Hale, are some of the major league ready pitchers that can be inserted into that fifth slot.

Other options include top pitching prospects, Clarke Schmidt and Deivi Garcia. Now those two guys will most likely make their debuts at some point this season, but to think that they will immediately fill this gap may be a bit of a stretch.

Depending on the pitching performances by July, maybe General Manger Brian Cashman will gather some assets and trade for an extra arm. However, us Yankee fans know that Cashman and the trade deadline have not gone hand in hand these last few seasons.

Like it always has been, this season is World Series or bust for the 27 time champs. The stars of New York may not be shining, but there is plenty of talent in that organization from top to bottom, hungry to make a name for themselves.

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