Another crucial member of the Yankees’ starting rotation is on the injured list due to an arm issue. The Yankees announced on Thursday that right-hander Clarke Schmidt had been placed on the disabled list due to a lat strain. He was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 27.
Schmidt started for the Yankees in San Diego on Sunday, tossing 101 pitches in five innings while striking out six. The 28-year-old right-hander appeared normal after pitching five innings of two-run (one earned) baseball in Sunday’s 5-2 defeat. So it appears Schmidt was either sore after his start or injured his shoulder during a bullpen session. On Thursday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Schmidt had an MRI before being placed on the injured list with a right lat strain.
Schmidt’s absence will be far longer than the 15-day minimum, as Boone stated that the right-hander will be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks. He’ll almost certainly be out until after the All-Star break, and he may not return until after the trading deadline.
Yankees Place Right-Hander Clarke Schmidt on the Injured List
Even if Schmidt can start a throwing program in early July, he will still need time to re-establish his MLB workload. He will participate in bullpen sessions and live batting practice before embarking on a minor league rehab assignment.
The injury occurred as the Yankees right-hander was making his case for his first All-Star selection. Schmidt has made 11 starts this season, going 5-3 with a 2.52 ERA with 60 strikeouts. Despite the absence of ace Gerrit Cole, New York’s rotation has been dominant over the first two months of the season. The Yankees’ rotation leads the American League with a 2.73 ERA. He is helping New York (39-19) maintain the best record in the AL.
Until now, the Yankees’ rotation has been healthy in the absence of their injured ace, with Nestor Cortés, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Schmidt making all but one start. Cody Poteet made the only start, pitching six innings of one-run ball versus the Guardians as part of a doubleheader on April 13th. Poteet, who joined the Yankees in January, is likely to fill Schmidt’s spot in the starting rotation. Boone said that the right-hander will take the mound in San Francisco on Saturday.
In a matching move, the Yankees summoned right-hander Cody Morris from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace Schmidt on the active roster. Morris was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 25th after not making an appearance since his call-up on April 20th. This season, the 27-year-old reliever has a 2.82 ERA in 13 Triple-A games after pitching 22.1 innings.
