Yankees Facing Decision After Clarke Schmidt Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 4:31 PM ET

Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt is in his sixth major-league season with the New York Yankees after making his debut in 2020.

Schmidt was selected by New York in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of South Carolina and spent three years in the minors—his first focused on recovering from Tommy John surgery—before earning his big-league call-up at age 24.

Last season, over 16 starts, Schmidt went 5–5 with a 2.85 ERA and 93 strikeouts. He even played a role in the Yankees’ World Series run, though he struggled in October, surrendering seven runs across 12 innings in three postseason appearances.

On Friday, Schmidt was placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tightness. The issue arose during his most recent start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, when he was removed after three innings.

Now the Yankees face a decision on how to fill Schmidt’s vacated rotation spot. Cam Schlittler has "certainly put himself in the mix,” manager Aaron Boone said.

The #Yankees will bring in a SP for Clarke Schmidt's spot before the break (they're off Monday).

He also said Cam Schlittler has "certainly put himself in the mix" and is "an exciting pitcher." https://t.co/Ex600uB2V8
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) July 4, 2025

Marcus Stroman also figures to be a contender. He returned last Sunday from a two-month IL stint with a knee injury, delivering five strong innings against the Athletics, allowing one run and picking up the win.

The timing couldn’t be worse. New York’s rotation has struggled recently, allowing 17 runs over 18 innings during a four-game sweep against the Blue Jays, a skid that dropped the Yankees into second place in the AL East and has left them scrambling for answers.

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

More must-reads: