The New York Yankees are facing yet another significant setback, this time due to injuries.
According to coach Aaron Boone, starting pitcher Clark Schmidt may “probably” need Tommy John surgery. If that’s the case, he would be sidelined for the remainder of this season and potentially all of next season.
Schmidt, who is 29, has been an important part of the Yankees’ starting lineup this year, boasting a 3.32 ERA over 14 games. Notably, he recently set a franchise record with 28 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. However, if surgery is necessary, it won’t be the first time he’s gone under the knife for this condition; he underwent Tommy John surgery back in May 2017, just before being picked by the Yankees in the first round of the MLB Draft.
Schmidt expressed his apprehension, stating, “When you’re having an MRI on your forearm, or whatever your body part is, you’re not happy about it,” before he found out about the results.
He was initially placed on the injured list because of discomfort in his right forearm, which he mentioned began during a game on June 4 against the Guardians in Cleveland.
In his last outing against the Toronto Blue Jays, Schmidt pitched three innings, allowing three runs on four hits before leaving the game due to his injury.
The Yankees are now left dealing with an uncertain starting rotation as Schmidt’s status hangs in the balance. While Max Fried and Carlos Rodon are reliably strong options, the rest of the lineup presents some question marks.
Ryan Yarbrough has been dealing with oblique issues and hasn’t resumed pitching, while Rookie of the Year Lewis Gill suffered a significant injury during an outing on June 21.
Although Marcus Stroman returned from the injured list, his performance has been subpar—holding a 7.45 ERA in five starts this season. Rookie Will Warren has had moments of promise but also struggles, currently sitting at a 5.02 ERA across 18 games.
Reports indicate that the Yankees may be calling up Kam Schlittler to replace Schmidt in the rotation. Schlittler has a 3.52 ERA over 15 games this season, which seems promising for the team.
The rotation currently includes Fried, Rodon, Stroman, Warren, and possibly Schlittler, leaving the Yankees in a tough position.
Having recently slipped from first place for the first time since April, the Yankees are now trying to catch up with the Toronto Blue Jays. They are set to face the New York Mets in the next game of the Eastern Division series.
