CHICAGO — Rotation decisions aren't getting any easier for the Yankees.
For the second straight day, the starting pitcher returned from the injured list and failed to score a run.
After Luis Gil pitched six innings on Friday, Clark Schmidt picked up where he left off, pitching 4 2/3 scoreless innings to help the Yankees win 2-0 against the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at a breezy Wrigley Field.
Nestor Cortes was removed from the starting rotation (at least for now) and took over for Schmidt, who closed out the game with 4 1/3 dominant innings.
Manager Aaron Boone was wary of the possibility of Luke Weaver making a second consecutive save, but it was worth it as he held off the steadily attacking Cortes.
The Yankees (82-60) are coming off a series win after losing their last three straight and have a chance to sweep the Cubs (72-70) on Sunday with Gerrit Cole on the mound.
Schmidt, starting for the first time since May 26 (he was diagnosed a few days later with a torn latissimus dorsi), threw 75 pitches, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out two.
He had made three rehab appearances but was never able to get his pitch count back up, so the Yankees chose Saturday to bring Cortes in as a relief pitcher.
Schmidt had a 2.82 ERA through his first 11 starts of the season when he was placed on the disabled list.
If the Yankees could bring the pitcher back, they'd have another strong option to start playoff-level games late in the season and perhaps into October.
But at some point, decisions will have to be made about who to take out of the rotation.
Because the Yankees will be using a six-man rotation per game, Cortes is expected to start in their series against the Red Sox later this week, which begins Thursday in the Bronx.
But by next week, that number is expected to be cut down to five, with the remaining one expected to go to the bullpen.
