NEW YORK – The Yankees’ rotation is absorbing another significant blow with the news that right-hander Clarke Schmidt appears likely to undergo Tommy John surgery, manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday’s Subway Series game against the Mets at Citi Field.
Schmidt underwent an MRI on Friday morning in New York that revealed damage to his right ulnar collateral ligament, according to Boone. Schmidt is seeking second opinions, but the club believes the procedure is “inevitable” for the 29-year-old.
“He’s obviously devastated and bummed out,” Boone said. “But Clarke’s way is, you’ve got to flip the script. He’s getting his mind into, ‘Let’s get it fixed and get on with it and start to get after the rehab portion of it.’ I think mentally, that’s where he’s at.”
This would be the second Tommy John surgery for Schmidt, who underwent the procedure during his junior year at the University of South Carolina in 2017, shortly before the Yankees selected him in the first round of the MLB Draft (16th overall).
Schmidt exited his start against the Blue Jays on Thursday after three innings, complaining of tightness in his right forearm. He revealed that he had been dealing with tightness since June 4 at Cleveland, which was making it difficult to bounce back between starts.
Boone said the issue did not elevate to the point where it needed to be tested until the Toronto start. The Yankees did maneuver their rotation once to provide Schmidt with extra rest, flipping him with Will Warren for Schmidt’s June 28 start against the Athletics.
In 14 starts this season, Schmidt pitched to a 4-4 record and a 3.32 ERA, limiting opponents to a career-best .199 batting average. He began his season late due to rotator cuff tendinitis, which he attributed to attempting to build up stamina too quickly in March.
“He’s become a really good starting pitcher in this league,” Boone said. “It’s a tough blow, but … again, every team has their share of these things that happen. Hopefully we get some guys back in the mix soon. It will create another opportunity for somebody else to step in and pick up the slack.”
The Yankees’ rotation has been in flux since those early days of Spring Training.
Gerrit Cole is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, while reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil has yet to pitch this season due to a high-grade right lat strain.
Gil is expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment this coming week. Ryan Yarbrough was a valuable swingman, but he hasn’t pitched since sustaining a right oblique strain in late June.
At present, the Yanks’ rotation projects to include Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman and Warren. They view JT Brubaker as a long reliever, and Boone said New York will likely promote a starting pitcher this coming week.
The Yankees’ internal choices are headlined by right-hander Cam Schlittler, the organization’s No. 10 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Boone said recently that Schlittler has “put himself in the mix” for a promotion. In 15 Minor League games (14 starts) for Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Schlittler has a 2.82 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Allan Winans has also made one spot start for New York and could return.
“We’re kind of working through that,” Boone said.