Houston.- — Dominican starting pitcher Luis Severino reached a significant milestone in his Major League career on Wednesday by recording his 1,000th strikeout, in a solid performance with the Oakland Athletics against the Houston Astros.
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“I’m happy to have achieved it. Many pitchers can’t reach that number. “It means you’ve been pitching for a long time, so you feel content,” Severino expressed at the end of his outing at Daikin Park, where he allowed only two runs (one earned) in six innings, struck out four, and left his season ERA on the rise.
The milestone came in the first episode, when the Dominican right-hander struck out Venezuelan José Altuve, one of the most consistent hitters in Major League Baseball. Despite Severino’s good work, Oakland’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and the Astros won 5-3, completing the two-game sweep.
At 31 years old and after a decade in the Majors, Severino reflected on the obstacles he faced to reach this milestone. “I feel like I should have reached that number years ago,” he commented, referring to the injuries that affected his career, such as the rotator cuff problem in 2019 and Tommy John surgery in 2020.
“I wish I had learned to take care of my body when I was younger. I felt good and had no routine. Now I take care of my body, sleep better, eat better, and know how to prepare for each outing,” he added, pointing out that his maturity as a professional has been key to his recent performance.
Since his recovery, Severino has regained his level. After two solid seasons with the Yankees in 2022 and 2023, he signed with the Mets in 2024, where he made 34 starts, including three in the postseason. In 2025, he joined the Athletics with a two-year, $45 million contract, with an option for a third year.
So far this season, the right-hander has recorded six quality starts in 12 appearances, showing consistency and leadership in Oakland’s rotation.
With 1,000 strikeouts now in his account, Severino joins a select group of Dominican pitchers who have reached that figure in the Major Leagues. His testimony not only highlights his talent, but also his capacity for personal and professional growth.
“I feel like I still have a lot left in the tank,” he said with conviction, making it clear that this achievement is just a new stage in his career.
