The New York Yankees’ pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries this season. Clarke Schmidt exited his last start early and landed on the injured list with forearm tightness.
Today, Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that Schmidt “likely” needs Tommy John surgery. It will be Schmidt’s second career Tommy John surgery. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery when the Yankees drafted him. Schmidt is still getting more opinions, but Boone noted that he will likely be done for this season.
Schmidt is the latest in a long line of Yankees pitching injuries. Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring. Luis Gil has been on the injured list all season as well. Marcus Stroman missed a significant amount of time this season as well.
Schmidt has a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts this season. Last season, he had a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts. He had been a steady option in the rotation, and now the Yankees need to find a way to replace him. They may look at the trade market, but there is an internal option that could make sense. The team could promote Cam Schlittler.
“He’s been really good,” Boone said Friday of Schlittler, per The Athletic. “He’s exciting. He got some really good opportunities in spring training where we got to see him a lot, even making a start for us late in spring. He’s really impressed. He’s come fast. He’s done a really good job and certainly put himself in the mix with a great start at Double A, really good start at Triple A when he got moved up. Had a rough one his last time, but he’s an exciting pitcher.”
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Schlittler is the team’s No. 10 prospect. He has a 2.82 ERA in 15 games this year. He has a 3.80 ERA in five Triple-A starts. The Yankees may not have many choices but to promote him. Even if they are interested in making a trade, it may take time to actually bring a new pitcher to New York.
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