New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt will start the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, as confirmed by general manager Brian Cashman. Schmidt is the third projected starter unable to join the team for Opening Day, joining Gerrit Cole, who is out for the season following Tommy John surgery, and Luis Gil, who will miss at least two months. Despite his injury, Schmidt has shown progress in spring training. Carlos Carrasco, a non-roster invitee with a solid 1.69 ERA this spring, is likely to fill in. Ian Hamilton will also start the season on the injured list.
TAMPA, Fla. — Clarke Schmidt, the right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees, will start the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury that has affected him this spring, as announced by general manager Brian Cashman on Saturday. This development opens the possibility for Carlos Carrasco to secure a spot on the team as a non-roster invitee for spring training.
Schmidt becomes the third expected member of the Yankees’ starting rotation to be sidelined as the team heads into Opening Day on Thursday, joining Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Luis Gil (lat). Cole is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, while Gil is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season.
At 29 years old, Schmidt had a strong performance last season with a 2.85 ERA over 16 starts, and it is anticipated that his time off the field will be minimal. A minor shoulder issue arose earlier this month, disrupting his preparation and pitch count buildup, but he has expressed confidence in his health.
This spring, Schmidt has only pitched once, throwing 38 pitches across 1⅔ innings. He also threw 32 pitches during two innings of live batting practice on Thursday. The Yankees aim for him to be ready to throw between 70 to 80 pitches before his first regular-season game.
“He just hasn’t had a spring training yet,” said Cashman. “He’s certainly moving in the right direction.”
Carrasco, now 38 and a cancer survivor, has posted a 6.18 ERA in 41 starts over the past two seasons. However, he has impressed the Yankees this spring, accumulating a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings in five appearances.
“He’s had a good camp, and he’s certainly earned the opportunity to join us,” Cashman remarked.
Rookie Will Warren is the frontrunner for the last open spot in the Yankees’ rotation, though Cashman did not confirm whether the former top prospect will make the roster.
Warren, 25, encountered difficulties in his major league debut last season, allowing 27 runs (26 earned) in 22⅔ innings across six games (five starts). However, the team has been optimistic about his performance this spring, as he has registered a 4.19 ERA over 19⅓ innings in six outings.
Cashman also disclosed that right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton will begin the season on the injured list. Hamilton, 29, made his debut in the Grapefruit League on Thursday, giving up a run on three hits during one inning after recovering from an infection.