Clarke Schmidt to Undergo Tommy John Surgery: Tough Blow for the Yankees
Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt will undergo Tommy John surgery, according to team manager Aaron Boone. This news represents a severe setback for the team’s starting rotation and ends the young pitcher’s season. An MRI exam performed on Friday revealed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in Schmidt’s right elbow. The injury occurred during his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he had to leave the game after only three innings due to discomfort. Although Schmidt is seeking other medical opinions, surgery seems “almost inevitable,” according to Boone. This would be the second Tommy John surgery for Schmidt, who already underwent the procedure in 2017. His recovery is expected to prevent him from playing for much, if not all, of next season. Schmidt, 29, was a first-round pick in 2017 and had an ERA of 3.32 in 14 starts this season.Schmidt revealed that he had been dealing with elbow pain since his June 4th opening, which delayed his recovery between his next five starts. Boone explained that the level of concern had not reached the point of requiring tests until the pain became unbearable on Thursday. Schmidt joins other Yankees pitchers on the injured list, including Gerrit Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March; Luis Gil, who has yet to pitch this season due to a back injury; and Ryan Yarbrough, who has been on the injured list since June 22 with an oblique strain. Given Schmidt’s absence, the Yankees will need to find alternatives to fill his spot in the rotation. Internal options include veterans Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans, as well as 24-year-old prospect Cam Schlittler. The Yankees could also explore the free agent market before the July 31 trade deadline to bolster their rotation, which currently consists of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, and Marcus Stroman.“Obviously, it’s not good news on that front,” Boone said.
Aaron Boone
“He has become a very good starting pitcher in this league,” Boone said of Schmidt. “So it’s a tough blow. Every team has its share of these things that happen, and we have to be able to absorb it and hopefully get some guys back soon and create another opportunity for someone else to step in and fill the void.”
Aaron Boone
