The New York Yankees have received a much-needed boost to their pitching rotation with the imminent return of Clarke Schmidt. After a successful rehab outing in Double-A last weekend, Schmidt is on track to make his first major league appearance of the season.
The 27-year-old right-hander, who posted an impressive 2.85 ERA last year, had been recovering from an injury that sidelined him for the beginning of this season. Following his stellar rehab performance, Schmidt is scheduled for what could be his final minor league appearance on Thursday—weather permitting. If all goes well, he could rejoin the Yankees’ rotation as early as next week, providing a much-needed reinforcement to a staff that has been struggling.
Schmidt’s return comes at a crucial time for the Yankees, who have been battling with a series of pitching woes. The rotation, outside of Max Fried, has struggled, with several key pitchers dealing with ERA issues and injuries. Schmidt’s return offers a significant potential upgrade to the starting lineup.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Schmidt’s recovery, stating that his ability to get back on track quickly could provide a much-needed jolt to the team’s pitching depth.
With Gerrit Cole still sidelined until at least partway through 2026, Schmidt’s return offers a glimmer of hope for a rotation looking to regain its footing. If his rehab outing is any indication, the Yankees can expect a steady and reliable presence from Schmidt in the coming weeks.
As the team awaits Schmidt’s return to the mound, fans are eager to see how the young pitcher will fare and how his presence might help turn the rotation around.
