Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt Exits Game with Forearm Tightness
In a concerning turn of events for the New York Yankees, starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt left Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays after reporting forearm tightness, as confirmed by Yankees manager Aaron Boone. The team turned to reliever Clayton Beeter to replace Schmidt on the mound.
Game Highlights
Schmidt, who pitched for just three innings, allowed three runs on four hits and issued two walks, while striking out only one of the 15 batters he faced. Statcast data indicated that Schmidt’s pitch velocity was notably down, with his four-seam fastball averaging 1.3 mph slower than his seasonal benchmark.
Injury Concerns
This latest injury raises fresh concerns about Schmidt’s health, especially considering his history. At 29 years old, he entered the matchup with a 3.09 ERA and a 2.57 strikeout-to-walk ratio across his first 13 starts of the season, contributing to a notable 1.6 Wins Above Replacement as calculated by Baseball Reference. Schmidt missed the beginning of the season due to rotator cuff tendonitis and faced setbacks last year from a lat issue.
Though details on the severity of his current condition remain unclear, the Yankees are bracing for the possibility of placing Schmidt on the injured list. If that occurs, he would join a list of sidelined pitchers, including Gerrit Cole, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, along with Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough. Fortunately for the Yankees, veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman recently returned to the rotation following his own IL stint.
Current Standings
As of the start of Thursday’s game, the Yankees held a record of 48-38, placing them in a tie with the Blue Jays for the top spot in the American League East. However, their performance since early June has been less than stellar—boasting a 13-16 record over that span. The outcome of Thursday’s contest carried significant implications for playoff positioning, as the winner would take sole possession of first place.
Conclusion
The injury to Clarke Schmidt not only poses a setback for the Yankees but also highlights the team’s ongoing struggles with player health this season. With key pitchers unavailable, the Yankees face an uphill battle to maintain their competitive position in the league. Team management will likely monitor Schmidt’s situation closely as they aim to recover from recent injuries and secure their playoff prospects in the coming weeks.
