The New York Yankees’ pitching staff has been dealt another significant blow with the likely news that Clarke Schmidt, the promising 29-year-old right-hander, will require Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The injury was revealed just days after Schmidt exited his start against the Toronto Blue Jays due to right forearm tightness, a setback that will undoubtedly affect the Yankees’ rotation for the rest of the 2025 season. Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone confirmed the concerning diagnosis, noting that the MRI results showed damage to Schmidt’s ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), leading to the possibility of another Tommy John surgery.
The news came as a punch to the gut for the Yankees, who were already dealing with a series of pitching injuries this season. Boone, speaking ahead of the team’s Saturday game against the Mets at Citi Field, expressed his disappointment. “Not great news on that front,” he said when addressing the media about Schmidt’s condition. The confirmation came after Schmidt had undergone an MRI on Friday, which appeared to show significant damage to the UCL.
With Tommy John surgery likely on the horizon, Schmidt’s 2025 season is essentially over. The injury means that the Yankees will lose one of their most effective starting pitchers for the rest of the year, adding to a growing list of injury woes within the team’s pitching staff. While Schmidt continues to receive second opinions on the injury, Boone acknowledged the inevitability of the situation. “We’re making sure we have all the opinions, but I think everyone knows what it is, pretty much,” Boone said. “Just want to make sure, but I think it’s pretty much inevitable.”
For Schmidt, this would be his second Tommy John surgery. The first occurred during his junior season at the University of South Carolina in 2017, just before the Yankees drafted him in the first round. His initial recovery took time, but Schmidt has proven to be a resilient player, making a name for himself as a reliable starter. His unfortunate fate now puts his career at another crossroads as he faces the challenging road to recovery.
Schmidt had been dealing with the forearm issue for a few weeks before it led to his removal from the game against the Blue Jays. He admitted after that 8-5 loss that the injury had been lingering for a while. “Probably been dealing with this for three, four weeks,” Schmidt said, reflecting on how he had been trying to push through the discomfort. “I think back to the Cleveland start [on June 4] was when I started dealing [with it], when we were bouncing back a little slower in between. Just been focusing on trying to get back every start, and we were obviously able to do that.”
Despite the persistent discomfort, Schmidt had continued to pitch effectively. In fact, he was on a career-high streak of pitching brilliance, with one of his most notable performances being a no-hit game against the Baltimore Orioles on June 21, 2025. Schmidt pitched seven no-hit innings and was still in control when he left the game. He had shown resilience in his previous starts, including throwing 28.1 consecutive scoreless innings—a record for Yankees starters that hadn’t been achieved since 1961.
However, as Boone remarked, the stress of pushing through pain clearly took its toll. “We knew the last time out when he hit that 100-pitch mark, he was done physically,” Boone said, acknowledging the physical strain Schmidt had been under. But even as Schmidt faced the challenge of the injury, he managed to continue his strong performance on the mound. However, after the unfortunate turn of events, it became clear that the pain he had been enduring was more serious than originally thought.
On the season, Schmidt’s numbers had been impressive. With a 4-4 record and a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts, he had established himself as a dependable piece of the Yankees’ rotation. Schmidt’s development into a key starter was a promising sign for the team, especially after overcoming his previous Tommy John surgery. His resilience and growth had earned him the admiration of both teammates and coaches. Boone referred to him as “a really, really good starting pitcher in this league” before the news broke about the severity of his injury.
Schmidt’s injury marks the latest in a long string of setbacks for the Yankees’ rotation this season. The team has already seen ace Gerrit Cole undergo Tommy John surgery earlier in the year, and Luis Gil has been out with a high-grade lat strain since spring training. Ryan Yarbrough has also been sidelined with an oblique strain since June 18. The mounting pitching injuries have left the Yankees with limited options, and the loss of Schmidt further deepens the challenges they are facing in their quest for postseason contention.
With Schmidt out, the Yankees will need to make adjustments in their rotation. Boone confirmed that the team will be adding a new starter in the coming days. Potential options include Carlos Carrasco, who has struggled with a 5.91 ERA in eight MLB appearances this season, and Allan Winans, who has given up six runs in 6.1 innings over two big-league outings. Boone also mentioned prospect Cam Schlittler as a possibility, highlighting the 24-year-old’s impressive 2.82 ERA over 15 minor-league appearances this season, including five starts at Triple-A.
Despite these options, it is clear that Schmidt’s absence will be a significant blow to the Yankees’ pitching staff. His injury, coupled with the other injuries to key pitchers, has placed extra pressure on the team’s bullpen and remaining starters. Schmidt’s season-ending injury further complicates an already difficult situation for a team hoping to make a deep playoff run.
Tommy John surgery typically requires a recovery period of at least 12 months, meaning Schmidt will likely miss a significant portion of next season as well. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but Schmidt’s determination and work ethic will likely play a crucial role in his rehabilitation process. Boone expressed confidence in Schmidt’s ability to handle the difficult challenge ahead. “It is what it is. Unfortunate. In a lot of ways, obviously devastated and bummed out, but Clarke’s way is you’ve got to flip the script,” Boone said, referring to Schmidt’s positive attitude despite the setback.
While the Yankees face adversity on the mound, the team and its fans will continue to rally around Schmidt during his recovery. The hope is that the injury will serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport, while also highlighting the importance of resilience and recovery in the face of setbacks.
