Yankees fans rally behind Clarke Schmidt following his return from injury

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New York Yankees fans were eagerly awaiting the return of Clarke Schmidt, and the young right-hander did not disappoint in his first start of the 2025 season. After spending some time on the injured list, Schmidt delivered a quality outing against the Kansas City Royals, putting the team in a solid position to secure a win.

In his return from the IL, Clarke Schmidt threw 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 2 and walking 2 batters. His outing was a display of composure, as he managed to navigate through some early challenges while keeping his team in the game. Schmidt’s performance was key for the Yankees, and his ability to limit damage through five innings was widely praised by fans and analysts alike.

A promising return for Clarke Schmidt

As the game progressed, fans took to social media to express their satisfaction with Clarke Schmidt’s performance. Despite the game being tied 3-3 at the time of his exit, fans were quick to point out that Schmidt’s return was a positive sign for the Yankees’ pitching staff. His 73-pitch outing featured 46 strikes, showing a solid command of his fastball and secondary pitches. The outing was a step forward for Schmidt, who is looking to build on his previous seasons and solidify his place in the Yankees’ rotation.

Fans were quick to react to Clarke Schmidt’s return, sharing their excitement on X. “Good outing,” one fan commented, while another praised the pitcher’s resilience: “Incredible outing for your first game off the IL.” Some fans even took the opportunity to compare Schmidt’s performance to other pitchers, with one user writing, “Lightyears better than Stroman,” referencing Marcus Stroman’s struggles with the New York Mets in comparison.

Despite the solid outing, Clarke Schmidt’s performance also highlighted the need for more offensive support. One fan, Chris, noted, “Not a bad debut. Need the offense to come thru and seal it.” Indeed, while Schmidt’s outing was commendable, the Yankees would need to rely on their lineup to push across runs and ensure the victory.

Clarke Schmidt’s role in the rotation

This start marked a significant moment in Schmidt’s career, as he is now embarking on his third full season as a starting pitcher for the Yankees. Since joining the rotation, the 29-year-old has shown steady improvement. Over the past two years, Schmidt has posted a 4.02 ERA (106 ERA+) and a 3.18 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 49 starts, which includes the 48 games he’s opened. These numbers suggest that Schmidt has the potential to be a reliable presence in the Yankees’ rotation for years to come.

According to Baseball Reference, Schmidt has been worth an estimated 2.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) over the course of his career, a solid contribution for a pitcher still relatively early in his career. As he continues to develop, Schmidt could become a key player for the Yankees, especially with the team’s aspirations to contend for a World Series title in 2025.

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