Clarke Schmidt is on track to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation after a successful rehab start. His return will provide much-needed depth and stability to the team’s pitching staff. As Schmidt prepares for his season debut, the Yankees will need to decide on their rotation, with Will Warren potentially moving to the bullpen or Triple-A.
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The New York Yankees are on the verge of welcoming back one of their key pitchers, Clarke Schmidt, who is set to make his final rehab start on Thursday with Double-A Somerset. If all goes well, Schmidt is expected to rejoin the Yankees’ rotation next week, either on Tuesday or Wednesday, when the team faces the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
Schmidt’s Progress
Schmidt has been on the injured list since the end of spring training due to a shoulder issue, specifically right rotator cuff tendinitis. Despite the setback, his rehab has been progressing smoothly. In his first rehab outing with Somerset on Saturday, Schmidt struck out seven over 3.1 scoreless innings, throwing 51 pitches. His performance was encouraging, and he is expected to increase his pitch count in Thursday’s start.
Impact on the Rotation
Schmidt’s return will provide a significant boost to the Yankees’ rotation, which has been stretched thin early in the season. Last season, Schmidt posted a solid 2.85 ERA over 85.1 innings, with 9.81 strikeouts per nine innings. His reliability and poise on the mound will be crucial as the team navigates the early part of the season without key pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.
Roster Implications
With Schmidt’s imminent return, the Yankees will need to make a decision on their current rotation. Rookie Will Warren has been filling in and has shown promise, but his performance has been inconsistent. Warren has a 6.00 ERA across nine innings, with a high walk rate and difficulty escaping jams. As a result, he might be the one to move to the bullpen or Triple-A to make room for Schmidt.
