Clark Schmidt is scheduled to pitch somewhere on Monday, and he hopes to pitch for the Yankees.
The right-hander has made two rehab appearances in the minor leagues and worked his way up to about 65 pitches in the process, recovering from a latitudinal muscle injury that has sidelined him since late May.
“I fought to get here,” Schmidt said. “I feel good.”
The Yankees still have a decision to make before then, with their roster expanding to 28 players on Sunday and numerous tactical changes to their bullpen.
The state of the pen could also be a factor in how Schmidt is utilized.
Pitching coach Matt Blake said Schmidt is “doing everything he's got to do. It's just the volume of pitches he's throwing.”
Do the Yankees want to let Schmidt pitch four or so innings and then rely on relief pitchers for the rest?
That may depend on how this weekend's series with the Cardinals goes.
But Schmidt is pleased with his progress.
Boone said Luis Gil (back tightness) will likely play one more rehab game on Sunday.
The pitching staff will also look different after Sunday, with Ian Hamilton expected to return from a tight spine, possibly by Sunday, and Scott Efros remaining with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“He's been playing well lately,” Blake said of Efros, who hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2022 season but has allowed just one run in his past eight starts with SWB. “We've got to find the right spot for him and get him in rhythm, because if he's playing well that should help us in October.”
Boone said he is “considering” promoting Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when rosters are expanded Sunday.
“We'll see what happens,” Boone said Friday. “He's definitely one of the guys that will be on the list.”
When Dominguez was promoted to the majors for the first time last September, he made waves by hitting four home runs in eight games before tearing his UCL.
He also struggled with an oblique injury this season.
“He's been a little late coming back from injury, but I think he's doing a good job right now,” Boone said. “He's been coming off a stretch, doing a good job, getting some good at-bats. He's definitely a name to consider.”
But the Yankees haven't given up on Alex Verdugo, who has a mere .542 OPS since June 15 but has looked good recently.
The Yankees aren't necessarily interested in putting Dominguez in the platoon.
“I probably want him to play. [regularly]”But we're going to see when the right time is for everything,” Boone said. “We haven't made that decision yet.”
Boone said Jon Barty (calf) was expected to remain on a rehab assignment until at least next week.
Berti suffered a calf injury in May that led to him being traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
