NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Clarke Schmidt #36 of the New York Yankees reacts after a strikeout against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees will begin the season without Clarke Schmidt, as the right-hander has been placed on the injured list due to shoulder soreness. This adds to the team’s pitching concerns, which suddenly shifted from a strength to a major need. With Gerrit Cole already out after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Luis Gil sidelined with a lat strain, and now Schmidt missing time to start the year, the Yankees better pick up the phone and start making calls for any available pitching help.
Schmidt, 29, dealt with shoulder discomfort throughout spring training, limiting him to just one outing, where he threw 38 pitches over 1⅔ innings. He later threw a 30-pitch live bullpen session, but the Yankees want him to build up his workload before returning to the rotation. There’s no set timetable for his return, but the team hopes he’ll be able to stretch out to 70-80 pitches before rejoining the staff, hopefully by the end of April.
To help fill the rotation spot, the Yankees added Carlos Carrasco to their roster. The 38-year-old veteran impressed in spring training with a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings, earning himself a spot. He joins a rotation that now features Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren.
With multiple starters sidelined, the Yankees’ rotation depth will be tested early, and they’ll need Schmidt back as soon as he’s ready.
