Yard Goats finish home schedule vs. Somerset; Yankees’ Luis Severino to make rehab start Wednesday
As the Yard Goats home schedule winds to a close, there figures to be an interesting week ahead in Hartford, with six games against the Yankees’ Double A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.
With the Yankees trying to come out of a long tailspin and nail down a playoff spot, starting pitcher Luis Severino, recovering from a strained lat, will make what he and the Yankees plan to be a final minor league rehab start for Somerset on Wednesday. Other injured Yankees, such as center fielder Harrison Bader or reliever Zack Britton could join Severino before the week is out.
Severino, 28, an All-Star in 2017 and ‘18 and the longest tenured Yankee player, has been beset with injuries in recent years. He left a start vs. Cincinnati on July 13 when his velocity was down, and was found to have a low grade lat strain, behind the right shoulder. He has been building back since. In a rehab start in Tampa last week, he hit 97 MPH and threw two scoreless innings, 22 pitches. Look for him to throw closer to 50 pitches this time and, if all goes well, rejoin the Yankees next week.
Bader, a centerfielder acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline, is recovering from plantar fasciitis. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that the timetable has Bader playing in minor league games Sept. 13, but could be moved up. With Triple A affiliate Scranton-Wilkes Barre on the road this week, the Somerset games in Hartford, through Sept. 11, are the close by and Dunkin’ Donuts Park, with its top-shelf facilities and playing surface has been an attractive place for the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox to send rehabbing players. Mets star Max Scherzer made a rehab start in Hartford in early July.
Britton, also a former All-Star, threw a scoreless inning for Tampa last week and is closing in on a return to the major leagues after missing more than a year following elbow surgery.
The Yard Goats’ hopes for a playoff spot are flickering, but can give themselves a chance with a big week. They finish the regular season at Binghamton.
Here’s what else you need to know about the Yard Goats final home stand of the season:
Probable starters and promotions:
Tuesday: Yard Goats RHP Mitch Kilkenny vs. Somerset RH Barrett Loseke 7:05 p.m.
Sitcom trivia night with prizes; Women in Sports pregame panel
Wednesday: Yard Goats RH Will Etheridge vs. Somerset RH Luis Severino, 7:05 p.m.
Bark in the park (Doggie tickets available)
Thursday: Yard Goats RH Noah Gotsis vs. RH Randy Vazquez, 7:05 p.m.
Kids jersey giveaway, first 1,000; Goats play as Los Chivos de Hartford
Friday: Yard Goats RH Noah Davis vs. Somerset RH Clayton Beeter, 7:05 p.m.
Pride Night — first 1,000 receive pride-colored koozie.
Saturday: Yard Goats RH Mike Ruff vs. Somerset RH Will Warren, 6:05 p.m.
Homerun for Heroes; Celebrating veterans. Postgame fireworks
Sunday: Yard Goats RH Kilkenny vs. Somerset RH Loseke, 1:05 p.m.
Final Game celebration. Kids run the bases
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information: Visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
Goats Notes
The Yard Goats lost the first half Northeast Division title to Somerset on the last day. To make the playoffs, they would have to win the second half title or finish with the best record while Somerset wins the second half. With 13 games left, Hartford trails first-place Portland by 6 1/2 games, and Somerset trails Portland by three games. Nevertheless, the Goats, 72-53 overall, will finish with a solid record. ... Zac Veen, the Rockies’ top prospect, hit his first Double A homer last week. ... Outfielder Brenton Doyle hit his 19th homer, as the Goats won four of six at home vs. Reading last week. ... Hartford is in the top five in the Eastern League in runs scored, home runs and steals.
About Somerset
The most talked-about Yankee prospect, shortstop Anthony Volpe, spent most of the season in Somerset, but was promoted to Triple A last week. Catcher Austin Wells is another of New York’s top prospects and is hitting .272 with 10 homers and 36 RBI in 45 games since being promoted to Double A. Everson Periera is hitting .282 with five homers in 28 games since his move up to Somerset.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com
