Another key member of the Yankees starting rotation is on the injured list with an arm injury. The Yankees announced on Thursday that right-hander Clarke Schmidt has been placed on the injured list with a lat strain. He was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 27th.
Schmidt started for the Yankees in San Diego on Sunday, throwing 101 pitches over five innings and striking out six. The 28-year-old right-hander seemed normal after tossing five innings of two-run (one earned) baseball in Sunday’s 5-2 loss. So, it seems Schmidt either felt sore after his start or aggravated his shoulder in a bullpen session. On Thursday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Schmidt underwent an MRI before being placed on the injured list with a right lat strain.
Clarke Schmidt will have 4-6 weeks of no throw, Aaron Boone said. Obviously, he’ll be out for longer than that.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) May 30, 2024
Schmidt’s absence will go well beyond the 15-day minimum, as Boone confirmed that the right-hander will be shut down from throwing for 4 to 6 weeks. He’s almost certain to be out until after the All-Star Break and may not return until after the trade deadline.
Yankees Place Right-Hander Clarke Schmidt on the Injured List
Even if Schmidt can begin a throwing program in early July, he’ll still need time to rebuild his MLB workload. He will throw bullpen sessions and live batting practice before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment.
The injury comes as the Yankees right-hander made his case for his first All-Star selection. Schmidt has pitched to a 5-3 record with a 2.52 ERA and 60 strikeouts through 11 starts this season. New York’s rotation has been dominant through the first two months of the season despite being without ace Gerrit Cole. The Yankees’ rotation leads the American League with a 2.73 ERA. He is contributing to New York (39-19) having the best record in the AL.
Until now, the Yankees’ rotation has remained healthy in the absence of their injured ace with Nestor Cortés, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Schmidt having taken all but one start. Cody Poteet took the lone start, tossing six innings of one-run baseball against the Guardians as part of a doubleheader on April 13th. Poteet, who signed with the Yankees in January, is expected to step into Schmidt’s spot in the starting rotation. Boone confirmed that the right-hander will get the ball in San Francisco on Saturday.
Before tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Placed RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 5/27) with a right lat strain.
• Recalled RHP Cody Morris (#82) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 30, 2024
In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled right-hander Cody Morris from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Schmidt’s place on the 26-man active roster. Morris was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 25th after not making an appearance after his call-up April 20th. The 27-year-old reliever has a 2.82 ERA in Triple-A this season across 22.1 innings in 13 games.
Main Photo Credits: David Frerker-USA TODAY Sports
