The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt has moved his rehab assignment from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The decision marks a significant step forward in Schmidt’s recovery from the right lat strain that has sidelined him since late May.
“Today, the Yankees transferred the rehab assignment of RHP Clarke Schmidt from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,” the team confirmed via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Schmidt makes strides toward to Yankees return
Schmidt, who was in the midst of a breakout season before his injury, has been sorely missed by the Yankees’ rotation. The team’s pitching staff has seen a noticeable decline in performance since Schmidt went down, with the ERA jumping from 2.37 in May—his last full month before the injury—to 5.26 in June, 4.26 in July, and a 3.98 ERA so far in August.
In his first rehab start last Friday with Double-A Somerset, Schmidt showcased the form that made him a key figure in the Yankees’ rotation earlier this season. He pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just one run on a solo home run while striking out six and walking one. The outing was a strong indication that Schmidt is nearing a return to full strength.
The Yankees’ decision to move Schmidt to Triple-A suggests that his return to the major league roster is imminent, though he is expected to make at least one or two more starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before rejoining the Yankees. Prior to his injury, Schmidt had posted a 2.52 ERA across 60.2 innings, with 67 strikeouts against 20 walks, and held a 5-3 record.
As the Yankees look to stabilize their pitching staff and make a push for the postseason, Schmidt’s return could provide the much-needed boost they’ve been searching for. The team will likely proceed with caution to ensure that Schmidt is fully ready to contribute, but the move to Triple-A is a clear signal that the Yankees are preparing for his eventual return to the rotation.
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How fast Schmidt comes back, really depends on the number of pitches he is allowed to throw. Last week it was 48 over 3.2 IP. Will he be allowed to go to 5 IP and between 60-65 pitches in his next outing?