Ever since the trade deadline, you’ve heard the same chorus from reporters, talking heads, bloggers, and other fans: the return of Luis Severino and Dellin Betances from the IL will be the equivalent of two major trade acquisitions. As the clock ticked and the hot summer days flew by, it became fair to question whether the two pitchers would be ready in time to rehab and be able to pitch at all this season.
Now that both are far enough along, with Severino having pitched in a rehab game on Sunday and Betances building up arm strength, it’s time to ask another, arguably more concerning, question: is it realistic to think that a pitcher who has not pitched all season will be able to make an impact down the stretch?