Feb 20, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) during work outs at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Yankees Injury Update: Another Pitcher Under Injury Cloud as Rotation Woes Deepen

Clarke Schmidt is dealing with shoulder soreness

Feb 20, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) during work outs at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Every morning, Yankees fans wake up to what feels like a new injury update, and Sunday was no different. This time, it’s Clarke Schmidt.

Clarke Schmidt won’t start tomorrow. He’ll throw a bullpen instead. Has some shoulder soreness. They are being cautious, Aaron Boone said. Since his last start, he didn’t bounce back as he normally would. No testing scheduled.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) March 16, 2025

The right-hander was originally slated to start Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays but was scratched due to shoulder soreness. Left-hander Brent Headrick will take his place on the mound.

Schmidt had already been bumped from his previous start on Sunday, a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Cam Schlittler filling in. Manager Aaron Boone revealed that Schmidt’s shoulder isn’t bouncing back the way it normally would, leading the Yankees to play it safe. Instead of making his scheduled start, Schmidt will throw a bullpen session to gauge his progress.

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This latest setback only deepens New York’s ongoing rotation concerns. Ace Gerrit Cole is out for the season with an elbow injury, while Luis Gil, last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, has been sidelined with a lat strain. Adding to the list of unavailable names, Giancarlo Stanton is also dealing with elbow pain and a chronic calf issue.

Schmidt, 29, was already slowed earlier in camp by a stiff back, delaying his spring debut until March 11, when he struggled against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing three runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

“I think we’re just being cautious with it,” Boone said. “But he’s not making his start, so there’s at least that concern. Hopefully, he recovers, has no issues with the bullpen [session], and then we’ll insert him back in a couple of days.”

Who is left in the Yankees rotation?

As of now, only two Yankees starters have been officially named for the regular season: Carlos Rodón will take the ball on Opening Day against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27, followed by Max Fried on March 29. Marcus Stroman is also expected to be part of the rotation, while the final spot remains up for grabs between Will Warren, Carlos Carrasco, and Allan Winans.

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At this point, Yankees fans have seen this story too many times before. Given the way things have unfolded, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Schmidt ends up missing a lot more time.

Clarke Schmidt

Injury update

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.