Yankees' Severino shut down 6 weeks with lat strain

New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino has a Grade 2 lat strain and will be shut down for six weeks, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The strain isn't connected to the shoulder injury that's sidelined him since early March. The Yankees say there was no lat issue when Severino underwent his first MRI during the spring, and that this setback happened in the time since he originally hurt his shoulder.

Manager Aaron Boone said on Tuesday that he's glad to know what's going on with the team's prized young pitcher.

“I don’t know if relief is the right word, but a little bit like ‘OK, now we know what it is,’” Boone said. “A little relief that it’s not a surgery thing. Obviously it’s gonna take more time now, but a little comfort in knowing what it is.

"It appears to be treatable, just going to take some time obviously, and hopefully we’ll get a healthy, strong, and fresh Sevy back for a good portion of the season.”

On Monday, Boone announced that Severino would need another MRI after something didn't feel quite right, as he wasn't able to progress from throwing on flat ground. The 25-year-old was rehabbing his right rotator cuff.

New York signed the two-time All-Star to a four-year, $40-million extension in February. Severino has posted a 41-25 record in the majors with a 3.51 ERA in 518 innings.

In addition to missing their ace, the Yankees are also without Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Aaron Hicks, CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances, Ben Heller, Jordan Montgomery, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Troy Tulowitzki due to injuries.