The Yankees can’t afford to lose another starting pitcher, yet that’s exactly what might be happening. On Sunday, manager Aaron Boone revealed that Clarke Schmidt would not make his scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday due to shoulder soreness.
A Concerning Setback
Instead of taking the mound, Schmidt will throw a bullpen session, which could lead to further testing to determine the severity of the issue. The Yankees are already reeling from injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, and now Schmidt’s availability is in question just days before Opening Day.
Schmidt, 29, was expected to be a key part of the Yankees’ rotation this season. He’s coming off a solid 2024 campaign where he dealt with a high-grade lat strain that limited him to just 85.1 innings. Despite the shortened season, he posted an impressive 2.82 ERA, striking out 9.81 batters per nine innings while maintaining an 80% left-on-base rate and a 40.5% ground ball rate.
The Yankees need Schmidt to be healthy, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding their rotation. Losing him for any extended period would leave them scrambling for reliable innings.
Warren and Carrasco Likely to Make Opening Day Roster
With Schmidt’s start pushed back, both Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco now seem locked into Opening Day roster spots. Warren, a 25-year-old right-hander, has been excellent this spring, posting a 2.87 ERA over 15.2 innings while refining his pitch mix and command.
Carrasco, 37, was originally viewed as a depth option on a minor-league deal but has become an essential piece of the rotation. He has a 2.45 ERA this spring over 11 innings with 9.82 strikeouts per nine. The Yankees might not have expected to lean on Carrasco so heavily, but with all the injuries piling up, his presence is suddenly crucial.
Playing it Safe with Schmidt
The Yankees are hoping Schmidt’s soreness is nothing more than the natural fatigue that comes with ramping up for the season. It’s common for pitchers to experience minor discomfort during spring training, and the team is being cautious.
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However, given their luck with injuries, it’s impossible not to worry. If Schmidt requires more time to recover, the Yankees will have to dig even deeper into their depth chart, which is already stretched thin.
For now, all eyes will be on Schmidt’s bullpen session to see if this is just a minor setback or another major blow to a rotation that’s already missing its ace.