Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Luis Severino

How Luis Severino built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Luis Severino, nicknamed "Sevy", is a professional baseball pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He currently plays for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). Severino previously played for the New York Yankees and the New York Mets in MLB. As a pitcher, he contributes to his team's defense by throwing the ball to strike out batters and prevent them from scoring.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

December 26, 2011: Signed with Yankees

On December 26, 2011, Luis Severino officially signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent, receiving a $225,000 signing bonus.

2011: Signed with the Yankees

In 2011, Severino signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent.

2013: Promoted to Charleston RiverDogs

In 2013, Severino started with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Yankees and was later promoted to the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single-A South Atlantic League.

2014: All-Star Futures Game Selection and Promotions

In 2014, Severino started the season with Charleston and was promoted to the Tampa Yankees. He was selected for the 2014 All-Star Futures Game in July, and after the game, he was promoted to the Trenton Thunder.

2015: Top Prospect Ranking

Before the start of the 2015 season, Severino was ranked as the best prospect in the Yankees farm system and among the top minor league players.

2015: MLB Debut

In 2015, Joe Girardi set Severino's major league debut for August 5. Severino pitched five innings, allowing two hits, two runs (one earned), with seven strikeouts and no walks. He finished his rookie season having started 11 games, pitching 62+1⁄3 innings with a 5–3 record, 2.89 ERA and 56 strikeouts.

2015: Promotion to RailRiders and Trade Discussions

Severino began the 2015 season with Trenton, and was later promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Due to the Yankees being in the postseason race, Severino was made unavailable in trade discussions for pitchers at the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

2015: Major League Start Announcement

With an injury to Michael Pineda in late July 2015, the Yankees' general manager announced that Severino's next start would be in the major leagues against the Boston Red Sox.

May 30, 2016: Activation and Option to Triple-A

On May 30, 2016, Severino was activated from the disabled list and optioned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

2016: Season Performance

Severino finished the 2016 season with a 3–8 record and a 5.83 ERA. He performed significantly better as a reliever compared to his starts.

April 13, 2017: Career-High Strikeouts

On April 13, 2017, Severino struck out a career-high 11 batters in seven innings as the Yankees won against the Tampa Bay Rays.

August 17, 2017: First Major League Hit

On August 17, 2017, Severino collected his first major league hit off of Steven Matz against the New York Mets.

2017: Breakout Season

In 2017, Severino had a breakout season, being named an All-Star and finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award vote.

2017: Wild Card Game Start and Cy Young Award Finalist

In 2017, Severino started the American League Wild Card Game. He was also named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award, finishing third in the voting.

2017: All-Star Break Win Count

Severino doubled his win count prior to the All-Star break in 2017, and became the first Yankee pitcher to win 10 or more games prior to the All-Star break since Masahiro Tanaka in 2014.

March 17, 2018: Opening Day Starter

On March 17, 2018, the Yankees named Severino their Opening Day starter.

2018: Second All-Star Selection

In 2018, Severino was named to the MLB All-Star Game for the second consecutive time, owning a 14–2 record and a 2.12 ERA.

2018: Wild Card Game Start

Severino started the 2018 American League Wild Card Game.

February 15, 2019: Contract Extension with Yankees

On February 15, 2019, Severino signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Yankees that included a club option for a fifth season.

February 22, 2021: Severino placed on 60-day injured list

On February 22, 2021, Luis Severino was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.

September 9, 2023: Severino's season ends due to oblique strain

On September 9, 2023, it was announced that Luis Severino's season was over after he suffered a high-grade oblique strain in the Yankees' loss against the Milwaukee Brewers. Following the season, he became a free agent.

December 1, 2023: Severino signs with the Mets

On December 1, 2023, Luis Severino signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New York Mets.

2023: Signed with Mets

After the 2023 season, Severino signed with the New York Mets.

August 17, 2024: Severino pitches complete game shutout

On August 17, 2024, Luis Severino pitched his second career complete game in a 4–0 shutout win over the Miami Marlins, marking his first complete game shutout since 2018. He also became the first Mets pitcher to accomplish this feat since Jacob deGrom in 2021.