Yankees pitcher Clark Schmidt is set to undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday, according to Manager Aaron Boone, who shared the news with reporters on Thursday. Schmidt experienced tightness in his right forearm during a July 3rd game against Toronto, completing only three innings and throwing 55 pitches before being sidelined with what the team described as right elbow tightness.
An MRI conducted on Saturday confirmed a torn UCL in Schmidt’s right elbow, with additional tests pending. As a result, Schmidt will miss the remainder of the season. He becomes the second Yankee this year, alongside Gerrit Cole, to require Tommy John surgery.
After his start, Schmidt told reporters he initially felt fine but noticed increasing tightness as the game went on, leading him to subconsciously protect his arm throughout the outing.
The 29-year-old pitched to a 3.32 ERA across 14 starts this season, including an impressive 1.95 ERA over five games in June. Schmidt holds a 4-4 record for the year with 73 strikeouts in 78.2 innings pitched.
Previously, Schmidt underwent a Tommy John surgery in April 2017 while at the University of South Carolina, but that did not deter the Yankees from selecting him in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Over six seasons, he has compiled a 23-24 record, recorded 97 saves, started 67 games, and posted a 3.82 ERA with 384 strikeouts.
To fill Schmidt’s spot, the Yankees called up Cam Schlitler, who made his MLB debut on Wednesday. Schlitler showed promise, giving up three runs on four hits over 5.1 innings while appearing composed on the mound.
Fan Take: This is tough news for Yankees fans, as losing Schmidt impacts the team’s pitching depth during a crucial part of the season. However, it’s also a reminder of how demanding baseball can be on pitchers’ arms, emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation in player health and recovery.
