The New York Yankees opened the 2025 season with a depleted starting rotation. Ace Gerrit Cole is out for the year, Luis Gil is sidelined with a right lat strain, and right-hander Clarke Schmidt has also been unavailable.
But there’s a silver lining: Schmidt is nearing a return. The 28-year-old is eligible to come off the injured list in the coming days and could rejoin the rotation shortly.
Clarke Schmidt Building Toward Big-League Comeback
Schmidt was scratched from a scheduled start on March 16 after experiencing shoulder discomfort. Since then, he’s been steadily rehabbing and making multiple appearances with the Somerset Patriots, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate. In his most recent outing, he struck out four batters, continuing to show progress.
Manager Aaron Boone gave an optimistic update on Friday, April 11, saying Schmidt looked sharp in his latest rehab start.
“I just watched his outing a couple hours ago and thought he was sharp,” Boone said. “Good, strong four innings, 61 pitches, so we’ll probably insert him in five or six days.”
Aaron Boone says that the reports on Clarke Schmidt's rehab outing were "really good" and that Schmidt will probably be inserted into the Yankees' rotation in 5-6 days: pic.twitter.com/wSlw7fToN7
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 11, 2025
According to Brent Maguire of MLB.com, Schmidt is expected to make his 2025 debut against the Kansas City Royals on either April 15 or 16.
Schmidt’s ability to succeed under high-pressure situations was on full show in October. Despite missing a significant portion of the regular season due to a lat injury, he recovered just in time for the playoffs and produced when it counted the most. He made three key starts, including a good performance in Game 3 of the World Series, demonstrating that he could handle the strain of October baseball.
What’s Expected From Schmidt and the Yankees
Schmidt, now in his sixth season, hopes to capitalize on his success from last year and ultimately settle into a stable role. With Cole out and the rotation in upheaval, the righty has an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable mid-to-high-level pitcher.
The Yankees, currently second in the AL East with a 7-6 record, are leaning heavily on their offense to carry the early load. Their lineup has given them room to navigate the pitching challenges. Still, with the team ERA sitting at 4.94, 26th in the league, reinforcements like Schmidt are not just welcome, they’re essential.
If Schmidt returns to form and gives New York steady innings, it could be a turning point. With October aspirations already building in the Bronx, his presence could be the boost the Yankees need to stay on top and make another deep postseason run.