PORT ST. LUCIE — Luis Severino is looking forward to completing his final spring training assignment and actually starting the season healthy.
It would be something of an anomaly for the right-hander, who only once since 2018 has begun the season in a major league rotation.
“It is really nice,” Severino said after throwing 85 pitches in a minor league game. “I feel really good. I have one more start.”
Severino has battled various ailments over the years, including a torn elbow ligament that necessitated Tommy John surgery.
Last season, Severino had a lat strain in spring training that forced him to open the season on the injured list with the Yankees.
On this day, he lasted five innings against a Cardinals minor league squad.
“Those kids are really good at hitting the ball,” Severino said. “That was my toughest game of spring training.”
Severino is looking toward 90-95 pitches and six innings in his Grapefruit League finale.
Jose Butto also threw in a minor league game.
Butto could potentially pitch Sunday as part of a Mets split-squad.
Manager Carlos Mendoza still hasn’t officially named the fifth starter in Kodai Senga’s absence, but Tylor Megill is considered the front runner, with Butto as the other possibility remaining in camp.
The Mets reassigned Kyle Crick, Ben Gamel, Yacksel Rios, Yolmer Sanchez, Cole Sulser and Trayce Thompson to minor league camp.
