Major news just hit the New York yankees pitching staff. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt is now considered “likely” to need Tommy John surgery, a devastating blow confirmed by manager Aaron Boone. Boone described the procedure as “pretty much inevitable.” This means Schmidt, a key component of the rotation, will miss the rest of the current season and likely most, if not all, of next year as he recovers from the significant elbow injury. This news is particularly tough for Schmidt, as it would mark his second career Tommy John surgery.
Schmidt’s potential surgery creates a massive void the Yankees must urgently address, especially with the July 31 trade deadline looming. The team faces a critical decision: can they rely on internal options and prospects to fill the gap, or do they need to aggressively pursue a trade for outside help?
Schmidt’s Impact: Losing a Reliable Arm
The loss of Clarke Schmidt is far more than just losing a body in the rotation. The 29-year-old had quietly developed into one of the Yankees’ most consistent and valuable starting pitchers this season. Before his injury-shortened final start, Schmidt held a solid 3.32 ERA over 14 starts. His performance had surged recently, posting an impressive 2.18 ERA across his previous seven outings. This stretch included a dominant seven no-hit innings against the Baltimore Orioles on June 21, showcasing his ability to dominate high-powered lineups.
Schmidt’s true value extended beyond ERA. He was consistently pitching deep into games, a crucial trait for any starter. In fact, excluding his injury start, he had completed at least six innings in eight of his 13 starts this year. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, among starters with at least 160 innings pitched, Schmidt ranked an excellent 18th with a 3.07 ERA. His ability to provide length and reliability will be incredibly difficult to replace. He had managed forearm tightness since early June, using extra rest between starts effectively, even during his no-hit outing, highlighting his resilience despite an underlying issue.
Compounding Pitching Injuries for the Yankees
Schmidt’s injury isn’t occurring in a vacuum; it exacerbates existing issues within the Yankees’ pitching staff. Ace Gerrit Cole is already out for the season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in March. This marks the second significant rotation loss via TJS this year alone.
Other key pitchers are also currently sidelined. Luis Gil, who had a breakout start to the season before a high-grade lat strain, is expected back sometime after the All-Star break. His return is highly anticipated and could provide a significant boost. Ryan Yarbrough, who was adding depth with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts, has been out since late June with an oblique strain and has not resumed throwing. Beyond these injuries, the current rotation features arms with lengthy injury histories in Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman, alongside rookie Will Warren, creating potential for further volatility.
Navigating Replacement Options: Internal Prospects
With Schmidt out and other arms recovering, the Yankees must scramble to fill the empty rotation spot. One path involves looking within the organization, specifically at pitching prospects ready for the big leagues.
The leading internal candidate appears to be right-hander Cam Schlittler. The 24-year-old was ranked as The Athletic’s No. 8 prospect for the Yankees entering the season. Manager Aaron Boone has expressed excitement about Schlittler’s rapid development, noting his impressive spring training and quick ascent through the minor league system. Schlittler has posted a 2-1 record with a 4.18 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. While his ERA might seem high, his advanced strikeout rate (13.3 batters per nine innings) and relatively controlled walks (3.4 per nine) suggest potential. Despite a recent rough outing, he is considered the prospect most prepared for a major league opportunity and is reportedly expected to be called up immediately to take Schmidt’s next turn.
Other internal options exist but are less likely for a full-time rotation spot immediately. Righty Brendan Beck, 26, has a 2.93 ERA but in only three Triple-A starts. Allan Winans has a strong 0.90 ERA across 11 games (nine starts) at Triple-A but struggled in his single MLB start this season, giving up four runs in just over four innings. Veteran Carlos Carrasco, who aligns with Schmidt’s rotation spot, is seen as an unlikely option given his struggles.
Navigating Replacement Options: Exploring the Trade Market
The other major avenue for the Yankees is the trade market. Acquiring a high-end starting pitcher before the July 31 deadline is notoriously difficult and expensive. Teams competing for top arms typically demand a steep price in the form of high-end prospects.
The Yankees’ prospect pool features potential trade chips, though some are viewed as near-“untouchable.” Shortstop George Lombard Jr., 20, falls into that category. However, the organization has several young arms and recently promoted former top prospect Spencer Jones to Triple-A, potentially increasing their trade capital.
While a blockbuster for a true ace might be tempting, the Yankees could target pitchers in the middle or back end of rotations. This strategy seems more probable, especially considering the anticipated return of Luis Gil, which is viewed internally as akin to a significant acquisition.
Potential trade targets mentioned in various reports include Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins. Despite struggling this season and also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Alcantara, a 2022 Cy Young winner, still possesses elite velocity (averaging 97.3 mph fastball) and is under contract through 2026 with a $21 million team option for 2027. His contract control makes him appealing but also costly. The Athletic’s initial trade board featured other potential targets like Freddy Peralta (Brewers), Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks), and Zach Eflin (Orioles) in the top 10. Luis Severino, a former Yankee, is available from the A’s, but his remaining contract ($42 million over two years after this season) is a significant deterrent for many teams.
The decision will hinge on evaluating internal readiness versus the cost and availability of external talent. Replacing Schmidt’s specific combination of consistency, innings-eating ability, and recent dominance will be a significant challenge regardless of the path chosen. Teammates like Max Fried have praised Schmidt’s importance and resilience, recognizing the hard work he put in to bounce back from past setbacks and become a deep-inning pitcher before this latest injury. While “devastated,” Schmidt is reportedly focused on starting the long rehab process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clarke Schmidt’s injury and its expected recovery time?
Clarke Schmidt is reportedly likely to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in his elbow. This procedure typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation period. He is expected to miss the remainder of the current baseball season and likely most, if not all, of the following season, with recovery often taking 12 to 18 months.
Which prospects might replace Clarke Schmidt in the Yankees’ rotation?
The Yankees have limited immediate internal options. The top candidate considered most ready for the major leagues is right-handed pitching prospect Cam Schlittler. He was ranked highly entering the season and has performed well at Triple-A, particularly in strikeouts, despite some recent struggles. Other potential internal arms further down the depth chart include Brendan Beck and Allan Winans.
Should the Yankees prioritize a trade for a starting pitcher after Schmidt’s injury?
Schmidt’s injury significantly impacts the Yankees’ rotation depth, already thin due to injuries to Gerrit Cole and others. While internal options like Cam Schlittler will get opportunities, the Yankees may need to acquire a starting pitcher via trade before the deadline to maintain championship contention. Given Luis Gil’s anticipated return, they might target a pitcher for the middle or back end of the rotation rather than a front-line ace, depending on the trade cost.
Clarke Schmidt’s potential Tommy John surgery is a severe setback for both the player and the Yankees’ aspirations. Losing his valuable contributions in the rotation demands an immediate response. The team must carefully balance the potential of promising internal options like Cam Schlittler with the necessity of acquiring external help via the trade market. The path forward is challenging, but the Yankees will need players to step up, both from within the organization and potentially acquired from outside, to navigate this latest pitching setback and keep their season on track.
