TAMPA — Clark Schmidt is guaranteed a rotation spot unless a starter like Blake Snell is delayed.
That knowledge allows him to test things this spring rather than chasing results.
In past years, when competing for roster and rotation spots, Schmidt needed to show promise and promising stats to show the Yankees that he should be an option. This year, Schmidt will be able to experiment like he did Sunday.
The Yankees’ right-hander did not let the opposing batters retire until the fifth batter, when the Braves were already leading 3-0, and recorded two outs on 27 pitches until he was pulled. (He would appear again in the second and third episodes.)
“The goal was to try a sequence that I had never really used before,” Schmidt said of the first inning after a 9-8 win at Steinbrenner Field. “Maybe throw some more sinkers and see how the cutters attack the sinkers in different areas.”
The Braves came out rushing, especially early in the at-bat, but Schmidt said he made adjustments in the next inning.
“After that, he started to look like Clark,” manager Aaron Boone said.
The likely No. 5 starting pitcher gave up the fewest runs in the second and third innings, allowing a walk to Jared Kelenic, but was hit into a double play by Sean Murphy.
Statistically, Schmidt had four hits, four runs scored, two walks, and five strikeouts in 2/3 innings while throwing 52 pitches.
“You don’t have time during the season to work on something, test it, test different sequences,” Schmidt said. “That’s what spring training is for.”
Infield prospect Joevit Bivas played the final four innings at shortstop, a position he hasn’t played with the Dodgers the past few seasons or with the Yankees this spring.
Vivas primarily plays second base and is scheduled to play on the third Saturday.
“I want him to do his job on the left side of the infield. I want to give him a good feel for that,” Coach Boone said of Vivas, who was a shortstop and didn’t have the ball in his hands. “That might be the role.”
Jonathan Loaisiga pitched two “innings” in a live bullpen session.
Boone said if he bounces back well, the right-hander will make his debut Thursday against the Tigers in Lakeland, Florida.
Aaron Judge retired after two at-bats, but the other regulars got at least one more at-bat.
There were no injuries, according to the judge and Boone. Coach Boone had contacted the judges earlier in the day to see if it was okay for Trent Grisham to come off the bench.
“What is March 10th?” the judge said he told Mr. Boone. “Whatever you got is fine.”
