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Rookie’s First Outing Pushes Yankees to Make Rotation Choice

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 11:44 PM ET

Cam Schlittler’s big league debut wasn’t perfect. But it was good enough to earn him another shot.

After being thrust into the Yankees’ rotation with just five Triple-A starts under his belt, the 24-year-old righty delivered a competitive outing Wednesday night. He went five innings, allowed three earned runs on four hits, walked two, and struck out seven. Schlittler also picked up his first career win as the Yankees beat Seattle 9-6 at Yankee Stadium.

His fastball touched 100 miles per hour, he generated nine swings and misses, five with his fastball, and his first career strikeout came against the current MLB home-run leader, Cal Raleigh.

It was impressive

Now, he’ll stay in the rotation for at least one more turn. That means he will be back after the All-Star break.

“Look, it’s his first start,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s going to make another one. I see a lot of potential.”

The Yankees don’t have many options. With Clarke Schmidt undergoing season-ending elbow surgery, they’ve lost a key piece of their rotation and are scrambling to cover innings. Schlittler, a ninth-round pick in 2022, was a longshot to reach the majors this fast, but he’s now a necessary part of the plan.

Boone praised the poise Schlittler showed under pressure, especially given the emotional weight of a debut.

“He was able to harness all that,” Boone said. “The stuff jumps out at you, but he stayed under control.”

Schlittler showed flashes of his spring training form, and Boone noted that the team’s veteran pitchers have already started rallying around the rookie. That support will be key as he tries to stabilize a rotation that’s suddenly in flux.

For now, he’s earned the ball again.

“Dream come true,” Schlittler said after the game.

His next outing may say even more.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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