TAMPA, Fla. — The first week of MLB spring training is usually about optimism. For the New York Yankees, it briefly became about uncertainty.
Manager Aaron Boone reported Wednesday that camp opened without new injuries. Less than 24 hours later, one of the most important arms in the Yankees’ MLB rotation was being held off the mound.
Cam Schlittler, the 25-year-old right hander who emerged as a breakout force in MLB last season, is dealing with mid back inflammation that has also affected his left lat. The Yankees say the issue is minor. Schlittler says the concern level is “zero.”
The timing, however, is what raised eyebrows across MLB circles.
Early camp caution in Tampa
The development came after pitchers and catchers completed their first official workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Boone opened his post workout media session with the update that Schlittler would be limited to flat ground throwing for several days.
When Schlittler addressed reporters, he clarified the specifics.
“It’s mid-back and some minor inflammation in the lat as well,” Schlittler announced.
The 6 foot 6 right hander revealed he first felt discomfort a few weeks ago. That detail added context, and some concern, given the Yankees’ current MLB pitching situation.
Three veteran starters, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt, are already slated to open the MLB season on the injured list. The Yankees insist they feel confident in their depth. Still, losing Schlittler would significantly impact the early MLB rotation picture.
The main concern, and the response
For a moment, it sounded serious.
Schlittler confirmed the discomfort had lingered. The Yankees sent him for testing. Boone addressed that directly.
“He had tests done and it kind of came back good news,” Boone said. “He’s felt a little tweak here and there, but has been doing his lives. He’s one of those guys that’s already done two ups in lives, so I don’t think it’ll slow him that much.”
The Yankees made a clear choice. They pulled him off mound work not because he could not pitch, but because they did not want to risk escalation.
“It’s something he kind of feels (and) he gets some treatment,” Boone said. “But we kind of just said, ‘Hey, you’re kind of ahead of the schedule in the progression standpoint. Let’s not turn this into something.’”
Then came Schlittler’s own assessment.
“Zero, I’d say,” he responded when asked about his level of concern. “It’s early. I’ve been dealing with it for a little bit, so I just want to make sure I’m on top of it and I’m ready for opening day and that week.”
“It’s just so insignificant,” Schlittler said. “It’s very minor. We’re just taking some precautions for a few days, and that’s really it.”
In MLB spring training, those words matter.
As injury buzz drove the Yankees circles into panic, Schlittler himself took to ‘X’ to address the fanbase. He cleared the air about his left lat.
“Left lat goes into the middle of the back, just clarifying it’s my left side, chat,” he posted on X and added, “Left lat** and not concerned at all. Gonna be a great upcoming week!”
Why Schlittler matters so much in MLB rotation plans
The Yankees are not treating Schlittler like a depth arm. He is central to their 2026 MLB rotation blueprint.
Last season, he delivered one of the most surprising performances in MLB. After beginning the year in Double A Somerset, he climbed to Triple A and then made his MLB debut on July 9.
In 14 MLB starts, Schlittler went 4 and 3 with a 2.96 ERA. He struck out 102 batters in 96 innings. His strikeout rate of 10.4 per nine innings ranked among the better marks for MLB starters with at least 90 innings.
His defining moment came in the American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox. In Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Schlittler threw eight shutout innings, allowed five hits, struck out 12 and walked none. It was one of the most dominant postseason starts by a Yankees rookie in recent MLB history.
Boone did not hesitate to frame expectations.
“Look,” Boone said, “obviously, we’re very excited about him and expect him to be a key part of our rotation, and still expect that from (the) jump.”
The Yankees believe a full MLB season from Schlittler could stabilize a rotation that endured injury turbulence in 2025.
Yankees rotation depth if injury becomes real
The Yankees insist the issue is minor. Still, MLB history shows how quickly back inflammation can escalate if not handled carefully. If the setback lingers, the Yankees have defined internal options.
Max Fried is positioned as the projected Opening Day starter. The left hander gives the Yankees an established MLB presence at the top of the rotation.
Luis Gil, who has previously shown swing and miss ability in MLB action, is expected to hold a rotation role early. His fastball velocity and strikeout profile provide upside.
Will Warren is another arm the Yankees believe can handle MLB innings. He gained experience last season and has built up this spring.
Ryan Weathers also factors into the depth picture. The Yankees view him as capable of filling innings in the early stretch of the MLB schedule.
Beyond those names, the Yankees maintain upper level minor league options. Prospects at Triple A could provide spot starts if needed. The organization believes it has more starting depth than in previous MLB seasons.
Still, replacing Schlittler’s combination of strikeout rate, playoff experience and late season growth would not be simple.
A different spring for Schlittler
A year ago, Schlittler arrived in camp as a prospect. He was not guaranteed a role. He ranked as the organization’s No. 12 prospect entering MLB spring training.
Now, he walks in as an established MLB starter.
“I came in here last spring training kind of as a no one, a prospect, whatever it was,” Schlittler said. “I was really trying to learn things, come in here and get my work in. It was more an experience last year.”
“I feel like being over here now, I feel like I’ve earned that (big-league rotation) role. I know exactly I need to do.”
That confidence reflects how far he has climbed in the MLB landscape in one year.
He logged 149 2/3 innings across minors and MLB last season. It was a career high workload. The Yankees understand that jump can create physical stress.
For now, the club insists this is preventative. Schlittler continues to throw on flat ground. Boone said he had already faced hitters twice in live sessions. If he returns to the mound next week without setbacks, he should remain on track for the MLB opener.
For a Yankees team navigating early rotation uncertainty, that outcome is critical.
The MLB season is long. In February, every precaution matters. The Yankees are betting that by pausing now, they protect the arm that became one of the most important stories of their 2025 MLB campaign.
And if Schlittler is correct, the worry level inside that clubhouse truly is “zero.”
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