Countdown to Clarke Schmidt’s Recovery

Clarke Schmidt’s journey back to the mound is officially underway, with an anticipated return sometime next year.

The Yankees pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery on July 11, a procedure that may have been necessary due to a worsening of his injury.

“Tommy John is like an umbrella these days,” Schmidt noted before the Yankees’ recent 4-2 loss to the Rays. “From what I’ve been told, the best-case scenario for recovery is around 11 to 12 months.” It sounds like a long wait, doesn’t it?

Interestingly, rather than needing new ligaments, surgeons simply reattached the existing ones that were torn away from the bone. Had he needed a complete replacement, the recovery might have stretched to 14 to 16 months.

For Schmidt, learning he required surgery came as quite a shock. Having spent his entire six-year career with the Yankees, the news was pretty emotional.

“I was caught off guard at first,” Schmidt shared, still reflecting on that initial conversation with the doctor. “It took time to process everything. It’s a very emotional moment.”

Now, he’s using this time away as an opportunity to “completely recenter” himself. Schmidt plans to focus on improving various aspects of his game during his downtime.

UCL injuries can hit pitchers suddenly, often without warning. In Schmidt’s case, though, he had been feeling something was off, particularly during a series with the Angels.

“I really began noticing pain when we were in Cleveland,” he mentioned, reflecting on the gradual buildup of discomfort.

But for someone as competitive as Schmidt, staying off the field is a challenge. “I want to be back out there every five days,” he admitted. “When I’m performing well, it’s tough for me to be sidelined.” It’s that drive that many players share.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, Schmidt’s injury adds to a growing list of challenges for their pitching staff, which includes Ace Gerrit Cole who is also recovering from season-ending Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Rookie of the Year contender Luis Gil has yet to pitch this season due to tensions in his right lat but is gradually making progress. Good news: he’s set to begin rehab games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.