Spring training is supposed to be a season of hope and blossoming potential. But in the Bronx, the cloud of uncertainty looms heavy, casting a shadow over the New York Yankees’ pitching plans. This isn’t normal pre-season uncertainty here—it’s the weird black cloud hanging over Clarke Schmidt, a pitcher, destined for a breakout season, now lost in a serialized shoulder soreness. The Yankees, already dealing with major injuries, are holding their breath.
Schmidt had a 2.85 ERA over 16 starts in 2024, confirming his viability as a dependable presence in the rotation. But fate has other plans. The trouble started under the radar—reports of shoulder soreness, just enough to scratch Schmidt from a scheduled Grapefruit League start. He was meant to pitch Sunday, then moved to Monday, but he didn’t pitch at all. Then came a 24-pitch bullpen session, and after that, Schmidt declared himself “great” and ready for his April 3rd debut. But, in another twist, stiffness in his back had already pushed his spring debut back.
In conclusion, the sequence—soreness, a missed start, a watched bullpen—outlines caution. The uncertainty surrounding Schmidt wasn’t just fan speculation; it was echoed by those closest to the team. Jack Curry of YES Network tweeted: “Clarke Schmidt, who has been dealing with shoulder fatigue, said today that he feels fine following yesterday’s bullpen session. Schmidt is uncertain about when the Yanks will next slot him into a spring training game.” The key phrase? ‘Shoulder fatigue’ and ‘uncertain’, hinting at a situation more complex than Schmidt’s optimistic self-assessment.
Clarke Schmidt, who has been dealing with shoulder fatigue, said today that he feels fine following yesterday’s bullpen session. Schmidt is uncertain about when the Yanks will next slot him into a spring training game.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) March 18, 2025
The Yankees’ hesitant approach doesn’t come from paranoia. It comes from necessity. And now, with ace Gerrit Cole lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, and another young phenomenon, Luis Gil, out for months with a lat strain, the rotation is already threadbare. General manager Brian Cashman did not mince his words, noting it had “taken a number of hits” and “certainly can’t afford to take too many more.”
Schmidt’s health isn’t just about him anymore; it’s impacting the entire team’s stability now. Depending on Clarke Schmidt’s eventual status, a few possibilities lie ahead for the Yankees’ starting rotation.
Three scenarios: mapping Schmidt’s uncertain path
In an ideal world, Schmidt is considered completely recovered and ready for his first start of the season on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This result would consolidate the rotation and give manager Aaron Boone the ability to put Schmidt in the starting rotation. The rotation would be led by Carlos Rodón and Max Fried, followed by Marcus Stroman and Schmidt in the fourth spot. The fifth starter role would then become a competition, likely between Will Warren and veteran Carlos Carrasco. This scenario offers the most stability and allows for the least disruptive rotation to start the season.
If the medical team feels Schmidt needs additional time to completely recover, then a delayed debut becomes the next alternative. That calls for a temporary fill-in for Schmidt’s initial starts. The two prime candidates for this spot are Will Warren, an upcoming young prospect with limited MLB innings, and Carlos Carrasco, a veteran with a long history of pitching in the show. That decision would probably depend on how they performed in spring training. The delay, hopefully short, would still put pressure on the bullpen.
The most pessimistic situation is Clarke Schmidt going on the injured list to start the season. That would mean something more significant was wrong with his shoulder, and his absence would be longer-term. This scenario would require the Yankees to make drastic changes to their pitching plans. Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco would likely fill that rotation, leaving an absence in the fifth spot. They could then look to depth options such as Allan Winans or Brent Headrick, or perhaps investigate external options through trade or free agency to fill their missing ribs. This scenario represents the biggest challenge for the Yankees.
So, the question remains: Will Schmidt be the anchor the Yankees desperately need, or will his shoulder dictate a different, more challenging course for the team’s season?
The post Yankees’ $3.6M Star Left in Limbo as He Eyes Comeback After Injury Setback appeared first on EssentiallySports.