Schmidt takes ‘very big step’ for Yankees return, weighs bullpen stint before Sept start

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Yankee Stadium’s rainout on Tuesday washed out the series opener against the Angels, but it didn’t halt Clarke Schmidt’s progress from the injured list. The right-hander, sidelined since May due to a right lat strain, took a significant step in his recovery by facing live hitters for the first time post-injury.

Schmidt, who threw 20 pitches during the live batting practice, noted his command was better than expected. He expressed contentment with his physical state, marking the session as a pivotal moment in his rehab journey.

“Really good. Pleasantly surprised with the command,” the Yankees’ righty said. “Physically, I felt great today. Today was a very big step.”

Looking forward, Schmidt is set for another live session on Saturday. Depending on his performance, he will either have one more live session or begin a rehab assignment with a Yankees minor-league team. The pitcher is hopeful about rejoining the Yankees within a month if his recovery stays on track. Manager Aaron Boone shared this optimism, indicating that a return in August is a realistic goal for Schmidt.

This positive development comes as a relief for Schmidt, who had shown promise early in the season before his injury.

Yankees bullpen role for Schmidt?

After his first live batting practice since being sidelined with a right lat strain, Clarke Schmidt shared his optimistic outlook on the Yankees’ upcoming critical games. The right-hander is confident in his ability to contribute significantly upon his return.

Schmidt discussed his approach, noting that if he were designated for the bullpen, he might expedite his recovery and skip the starter preparations. However, given his strong 2.52 ERA across 11 starts before his late-May injury, he plans to rebuild as a starter. A return to his pre-injury performance could greatly enhance the Yankees’ pitching rotation.

“One-hundred percent, for sure,” the 28-year-old said. “If it was one of those things where I was like, ‘Ok, I know it’s going to be the bullpen,’ then I would probably say, ‘Let’s speed this up a little bit more and just kind of count the starting stuff out.’

Currently, the Yankees’ rotation is full, but they have the flexibility to make room for Schmidt. Options include reassigning pitchers like Luis Gil or Nestor Cortes, or positioning Schmidt in the bullpen, a role he is open to if it serves the team’s best interests.

Schmidt voiced his ambition to start games in September and potentially in the playoffs, believing that he can make the most impact as a starter. Nonetheless, he emphasized his readiness to fill any role that would aid the Yankees in their late-season push and into October.

“I want to be able to start games in September,” he said. “I want to start playoff games. I think that’s probably where I can help this team the most. Now, obviously, if they come to me and they say we need you in the bullpen for whatever reason, I’m here to help the team. I’m not going to say no to anything.”

The pitcher’s remarks highlight his confidence and team-oriented mindset. He expressed a clear preference for starting but remains adaptable to any role the team assigns. This flexibility and dedication to the team’s success could be crucial as the Yankees aim for a strong finish to the season and a deep postseason run.

Clarke Schmidt, while open to bullpen duties, emphasized his belief that he would be most effective as a starter for the Yankees. The 28-year-old pitcher, known for his confidence, expressed his willingness to take on any role that would benefit the team, including pitching from the bullpen if necessary.

Following the rainout of the Yankees-Angels game, Manager Aaron Boone commented on Schmidt’s status without committing to a specific role upon his return. Boone confirmed that Schmidt is currently preparing as a starter.

As part of his recovery, Schmidt threw 20 pitches off the mound at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. He reported feeling “amazing” and was satisfied with his command, marking the session as a crucial milestone in his rehab. Boone echoed Schmidt’s positive assessment, noting the pitcher’s good progress and sharp performance during the session.

The next step in Schmidt’s rehab involves another live batting practice session on Saturday, with the location contingent on weather conditions, either in Tampa or the Bronx. Depending on the outcome, Schmidt will either have a third live session or start a rehab assignment, with the choice based on the quickest way to increase his pitch count.

Schmidt tentatively aimed for a return by the end of August, a timeline Boone considered realistic. Despite some frustration with the recovery’s duration, Schmidt acknowledged being ahead of expectations at each stage. He reflected on the challenges of recovering from a muscle injury as a starting pitcher, describing it as a learning experience and highlighting the importance of self-care to prevent significant time off.

“That’s probably where I can help this team the most,” the Yankees’ pitcher said. “Now, obviously, if they come to me and they say, ‘Hey, we need you in the bullpen’ for whatever reason, I’m here to help the team. I’m not going to say no to anything.”

Throughout his comments, Schmidt showed optimism about his progress, eagerness to rejoin the team, and a pragmatic view of the rehabilitation process. His experience underscores the complexities and patience required for injury recovery in professional baseball, especially for starting pitchers.

Boone keeps all options on table

Clarke Schmidt’s recovery journey may soon lead him back to the major leagues, with Manager Aaron Boone confirming that all options are on the table. Schmidt mentioned Gerrit Cole‘s recovery plan as a possible template for his own return. Cole, recovering from elbow inflammation, made three rehab starts, gradually increasing his pitch count from 62 to 72 in his first two major league games before consistently reaching 90 or more pitches.

Regardless of his role or build-up strategy, Schmidt is confident in his ability to make a significant impact on the Yankees‘ pitching staff. His impressive pre-injury performance, featuring a team-leading 2.52 ERA over 11 starts, underlines this confidence.

Boone lauded Schmidt’s pre-injury form, comparing him favorably to some of the league’s top pitchers. He highlighted Schmidt’s consistent improvement over the years and noted that the early part of this season marked another step forward in his development. Boone expressed optimism about Schmidt’s potential impact upon his return, calling him a highly effective pitcher.

“He was throwing ball with a lot of the better guys in the league,” the Yankees manager said. “He’s been that good for us. We’ve seen Clarke get better and better every year. I think the product we were seeing the first couple of months this year was even another step for him. So we feel like we’re getting a really impactful pitcher back once he is able to come back.”

Schmidt plans to rebuild as a starter, aiming to continue his strong pre-injury performance. His successful return could significantly bolster the Yankees’ pitching staff late in the season. Although the current rotation is full, the team has the flexibility to accommodate Schmidt, possibly by adjusting the roles of pitchers like Luis Gil or Nestor Cortes.

While Schmidt is open to bullpen work if needed, his success as a starter makes such a move unlikely. The Yankees are expected to utilize his effectiveness in a starting role.

Despite facing some challenges in his recovery, Schmidt reported feeling physically good and was pleased with his pitching mechanics and command in recent sessions. He expressed enthusiasm about his progress and eagerness to return to active play.

“Feeling good physically,” he explained. “The stuff [was] really good. The command, honestly above everything else, was really good. So definitely a big step. … I’m excited to get back out there.”

Overall, Schmidt’s recovery is progressing well, with both the pitcher and the team optimistic about his potential impact once he returns to the lineup.

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