New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Yankees give concerning injury update on SP Clarke Schmidt

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 9:17 PM ET

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt was lifted after just three innings on Thursday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, and they did not give a promising update when they revealed why. The Yankees say Schmidt left the game due to forearm tightness.

Clarke Schmidt left the game after experiencing forearm tightness
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 4, 2025

Forearm tightness are the two words that baseball teams never want to hear about pitchers. In most cases, it can lead to an extensive absence at a minimum, and potentially surgery in the worst-case scenario.

The Yankees starting rotation has already been in shambles this season due to the Tommy John surgery that ace Gerrit Cole had to undergo as well as the absence of Luis Gil.

Schmidt has really stepped forward in both of their absences and entered Thursday's game with a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts.

Going back to the start of 2024, he has a 2.97 ERA in 29 starts and has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers when on the mound.

The Yankees entered Thursday's game having won just six of their previous 19 games and allowed their lead in the American League East to completely slip away to both the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.

Another potential starting pitching injury is the absolute last thing they need.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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