Clarke Schmidt throws through back pain, but Yankees sound alarm on Hampton’s arm injury

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Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided injury updates on two pitchers Wednesday, one minor and the other concerning.

Yankees injury updates: Clarke Schmidt managing back issue, Chase Hampton faces setback

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt has been dealing with back soreness, but the issue hasn’t sidelined him from throwing. Boone downplayed any concerns, calling it a routine setback.

“He just had a little bit of a cranky back after his last side or live,” Boone said. “But really, he’s fine.”

Schmidt, 28, has resumed throwing and completed a bullpen session Wednesday. Boone expects him to be ready for the regular season.

“He was ahead of the game anyway coming into spring training with the amount of lives and bullpens he had done,” Boone said. “So we just slowed him down. He threw pretty aggressively today, and I assume he’ll get through that and be back for another on Friday. I don’t think it’s much of anything.”

Schmidt played a key role in the Yankees’ rotation last season, posting a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts before missing over three months with a right lat strain. He is expected to be part of a strong 2025 rotation featuring Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Luis Gil, and Carlos Rodon.

While Schmidt’s situation appears manageable, the Yankees have greater concerns regarding pitching prospect Chase Hampton.

After missing most of last season with a right flexor strain and a groin injury, Hampton arrived at spring training healthy but is now dealing with another setback. The 23-year-old was in New York on Wednesday undergoing tests after feeling discomfort in his pitching arm following a bullpen session last Friday.

“In his Friday bullpen, he just felt some elbow strain,” Boone said. “So he’s got a flexor strain and something is going on with the UCL. We’ll have more in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Hampton, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 2 pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline, had a breakout 2023 season, going 4-3 with a 3.63 ERA across 20 starts with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. However, injuries limited him to just 18.2 innings in 2024.

“Just having an uneven season last year with some injury, he’s pretty bummed about that,” Boone said. “But we’ll see what we have and try to get it right.”

Hampton’s health will be a key storyline as the Yankees look to develop young pitching depth. With his latest setback, his status for the 2025 season remains uncertain.

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