The New York Yankees are considering bringing in outside help for their starting rotation ahead of Opening Day. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported on Friday that the Yankees "maintain some interest" in veteran Gio Gonzalez while noting that a deal does not appear imminent. 

Gonzalez struggled in 2018, splitting his season between the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers traded for Gonzalez on Aug. 31 to bolster their postseason rotation, but Gonzalez ended up exiting the postseason early due to an ankle injury in Game 4 of the NLCS. 

In total, the 33-year-old southpaw posted an underwhelming 4.21 ERA last season.

Gonzalez's MLB career began in 2008 with the Oakland Athletics but made his name with the Nationals from 2012-18 with his best season coming in 2012, when he posted a league-leading 21-8 record.

Heyman relayed on Wednesday that Gonzalez threw a 107-pitch, seven-inning simulated game in Miami on Tuesday. "He's a rare one," Heyman added. "Never been on the [disabled list] with arm injury, never even had arm injury." 

Meanwhile, Yankees ace Luis Severino is dealing with right rotator cuff inflammation—his throwing arm—and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com that Severino isn't expected to return until May "at the earliest." 

Caldera added that the Yankees are "content" with the pitchers they have internally to fill Severino's void. However, Cashman said the team is "not opposed to outside opportunities if those match up with our interest level." Gonzalez can only hope the Yankees opt for his veteran assistance to preserve their 25-year-old cornerstone.

As for Opening Day, Masahiro Tanaka will start in place of Severino at Yankee Stadium on March 28 against the Baltimore Orioles. 

It should be noted, too, that New York traded for left-handed starter James Paxton in November. Paxton posted a career 3.42 ERA and 102.8 season strikeout average in his six years with the Seattle Mariners.