Yankees' Severino diagnoses spring struggles: 'My slider sucks'

New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino has an idea behind the reason for his struggles to start spring training.

"That my slider sucks, that's what they're telling me right now," Severino said Friday, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post.

"I need to work more on my slider. It's not the movement, it's just location, actually."

Severino has a 9.35 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 8 2/3 innings over three spring starts. The 29-year-old has allowed five home runs already this spring.

With injuries to free-agent acquisition Carlos Rodon and right-hander Frankie Montas, the Yankees will be relying on Severino to anchor the rotation to begin the regular season.

Despite the issues with his slider, Severino said he's remaining patient the offering will be where he wants it to be by Opening Day.

"For me, that's the pitch that takes longer to get ready," Severino said. "I just need to work on location more. But everything else was really good."

Severino will be looking to put together a healthy 2023 season. The hurler made just 19 starts last campaign due to a lat issue and appeared in only seven games from 2019-21 due to various injuries.

When healthy, Severino is one of the most effective starting pitchers in the American League. He owns a career 50-29 record with a 3.39 ERA and 709 strikeouts over 638 innings.