Despite avoiding a serious injury, right-hander Clarke Schmidt is expected to begin the 2025 campaign on the injured list as the New York Yankees prioritize his long-term conditioning following early spring shoulder fatigue.
The 28-year-old hurler completed a modest two-inning live batting practice session Thursday at Steinbrenner Field, marking his first encounter with live hitters since being pulled from his scheduled start earlier this week. While Schmidt reported feeling physically sound, his 32-pitch workload places him considerably behind his rotation counterparts in terms of opening-day readiness.
Yankees brass appears poised to place Schmidt on the IL to start the season, allowing him adequate time to build toward a proper 70-80 pitch capacity. When questioned about this possibility before Thursday’s exhibition contest against Baltimore at Ed Smith Stadium, manager Aaron Boone was measured but revealing in his response.
“It’s possible,” Boone acknowledged regarding the potential IL designation. “We’ll see. We haven’t made that final decision yet.”
Boone stressed the organization’s commitment to Schmidt’s methodical preparation, emphasizing the significance of proper development over rushed integration.
“We’re going to do what’s right for Clarke and us over the long haul,” Boone explained. “We know how important he is to our rotation and to our season.”
Spring standouts eye Yankees rotation opportunity
Should Schmidt indeed begin the season sidelined, the door swings open for Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren—two pitchers who’ve impressed throughout Yankees camp—to potentially secure spots on the opening roster.
Carrasco, a seasoned right-hander who joined on a minor league contract this winter, has demonstrated refreshed velocity and improved command during spring training. The 37-year-old right-hander has delivered impressive outings for the New York Yankees during the 2025 spring training, showcasing both efficiency and skill on the mound. In a recent game against the Atlanta Braves, Carrasco pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out three batters. He achieved this on an efficient 54 pitches, further solidifying his strong spring training performance.
Throughout the 2025 spring training, Carrasco has maintained a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings pitched. His performances have been characterized by improved mechanics and increased fastball velocity, indicating a return to his earlier form.
Meanwhile, Warren, among the organization’s premier pitching prospects, has showcased remarkable composure and refinement in his Grapefruit League appearances. Providing both arms an early-season platform could bolster depth while offering valuable evaluation opportunities for a rotation that will require flexibility throughout the marathon 162-game schedule.
Over five Grapefruit League appearances, including four starts, Warren has posted a 2.87 ERA, allowing six runs (five earned) and nine hits across 15 2/3 innings. He has demonstrated excellent control, issuing just three walks while striking out 16 batters.
This performance marks a drastic improvement over his 2024 season, during which Warren struggled with a 10.32 ERA over 22 2/3 big league innings. The progress he has made highlights his resilience and dedication to refining his skills.
Warren has worked on enhancing his pitching arsenal, reintroducing a curveball, and adjusting his changeup grip. These adjustments have contributed to his effectiveness this spring, making him a key player amid the Yankees’ injury concerns.
Positive developments despite Schmidt’s delay
Boone expressed optimism regarding Schmidt’s Thursday session, where the right-hander faced a diverse group including Austin Wells, Paul Goldschmidt, Pablo Reyes, Dominic Smith, and Ismael Munguia.
“I thought he controlled his force well so he wasn’t overcooking it but still kind of living at 94 [mph] with his sinker,” Boone noted. “Overall a good day.”
Assuming Schmidt remains in Tampa, he would likely continue working in structured environments to gradually enhance his stamina. This approach prevents rushing him into the Yankees‘ regular-season action underprepared, which could risk additional setbacks or diminish effectiveness.
Schmidt’s most recent spring outing came on March 11, when he threw 38 pitches but struggled with recovery afterward, prompting the organization to decelerate his progression. For perspective, Atlanta’s ace Max Fried had already completed a 32-pitch live batting practice by February 20—highlighting just how far behind Schmidt currently stands in his preparation timeline.
Bullpen updates and roster movements
Elsewhere in camp, the Yankees made several personnel decisions Thursday. Left-hander Brandon Leibrandt and right-hander Allan Winans were reassigned to minor league camp, with both expected to provide rotation support at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year.
Relief pitchers Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill, and Fernando Cruz each completed consecutive-day appearances—the final prerequisite before likely receiving clearance for the regular-season bullpen. All four pitched against Atlanta Wednesday night before completing live batting practice Thursday.
Right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton, previously slowed by an infection earlier in spring, was scheduled for his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against Baltimore—another encouraging sign of the bullpen’s collective preparedness.
Final preparations underway
With spring training’s conclusion rapidly approaching, decisions regarding Schmidt’s status and the opening day roster loom large. The organization appears set to exercise caution with one of its key starters while rewarding Carrasco and Warren for their impressive spring performances.
As the Yankees ready themselves for the 2025 season, attention will focus on how the rotation adapts to this early adjustment and whether these emerging arms can capitalize on their opportunity.
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