NEW YORK -- Luis Severino threw six shutout innings, allowing just three hits, while striking out seven and walking one Wednesday in Triple-A. He retired the first 11 batters he faced and 16 of the final 18.

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi watched each and every pitch on tape. Upon further review, the manager decided it was better but still not good enough yet.

"I did look at it," Girardi said. "He threw some better sliders, some better changeups, but I still think there's work to be done with location of fastball and consistency of his off-speed. I did see some better sliders."

Severino, 22, went 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA at the major league level. He has now had two starts -- he went 3⅔ innings and gave up three runs in his first minor league outing -- and will need more work before the Yankees call him back.

If he continues to progress, he could be back with the big club and in the rotation soon.