BOSTON — The Yankees have a Deivi Garcia problem.
Once seen as a potential option for rotation depth — or perhaps a trade chip at next month’s deadline — the 22-year-old right-hander’s season has been a disaster that only grew worse Friday.
Garcia allowed five runs in just two innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has allowed 18 runs in his past 8 ²/₃ innings.
His command has been off since the spring and he has made just two starts in the majors.
It’s a long way from last season, when Garcia made his MLB debut and showed flashes of dominance. He pitched well enough to be the opener in Game 2 of the ALDS against Tampa Bay and entered spring training seemingly in a competition with Domingo German for the final spot in the major league rotation.
Now, the Yankees, with some issues in the rotation, can’t even consider Garcia as a possible replacement.
Luis Severino could be back on a mound “possibly by the end of next week,” according to manager Aaron Boone.
Severino’s comeback from Tommy John surgery was delayed by a strained groin suffered during a rehab start earlier this month. The Yankees had previously hoped the right-hander would be able to rejoin the rotation by early July.
Corey Kluber played catch in the outfield Friday, but he’s still in the same throwing program he has been in since he and the Yankees decided he would resume throwing. Kluber has been sidelined with a strained shoulder since leaving a start on May 25 — one outing after he threw a no-hitter against the Rangers.
Clarke Schmidt, who suffered an elbow strain early in spring training, will throw another bullpen session Saturday and could start facing live hitters soon.
“He’s starting to get to where he’ll get in a [rehab] game in the next few weeks,’’ Boone said.
Gio Urshela returned to the lineup for Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Red Sox after missing the previous two games with a sore shin. Urshela was hit by a pitch that forced him from Tuesday’s game. He doubled, scored a run and moved well at third base Friday.
Boone jumped on the Gary Sanchez All-Star train Friday.
“Forget what he’s done the last month, when he’s been one of the best offensive players in the league,’’ the manager said of Sanchez who went 0-for-3 with a walk.
“Look at his body of work [for the season],’’ Boone said. “He’s got 13 homers, over an .800 OPS and has done a great job behind the plate.”
Sanchez’s stats still pale in comparison to the Royals’ Salvador Perez, who will almost certainly start the game for the AL next month in Denver, but the Yankees catcher has played his way into the conversation for a reserve role.
“I think his overall numbers … I’d imagine stack up pretty favorably,’’ Boone said. “If he continues performing the way he has of late, he has a chance to make a stronger case going into the game.”
And Boone said he would have no issue if any of his players wanted to participate in the Home Run Derby, but both Sanchez and Aaron Judge have already said they weren’t interested in taking part.
“It’s a total personal decision,’’ Boone said. “I would support them if they wanted to be in it. I don’t have a strong feeling one way or the other.”