The New York Yankees confirmed this morning that Clarke Schmidt will be placed on the injured list following concerns of right forearm tightness. This announcement comes just a day after Schmidt’s exit from the game against the Toronto Blue Jays, raising alarm for both the pitcher and the team. In a series of roster moves, the Yankees have also optioned Clayton Beeter back to the minors while recalling right-hander Scott Effross and left-hander Jayvien Sandridge.
This injury is particularly disappointing for Schmidt, who recently achieved a franchise record with an impressive 28.1-inning scoreless streak. The 29-year-old has recorded a solid 3.32 ERA in 14 starts this season. Concern is always high with forearm injuries, and Schmidt expressed hope that his situation will not be severe: “I’m praying everything is going to be clean and minor. We’ll see what happens,” he noted yesterday.
Beeter saw action after Schmidt left the game but struggled, allowing three runs in just 1.2 innings. His demotion back to Triple-A reflects the Yankees’ strategy to shuttle him between leagues as needed. Meanwhile, Effross, who was acquired during the 2022 Trade Deadline, is returning after battling injuries. Although he had a brief scoreless appearance in the majors earlier this season, his minor league performance this year has been less than stellar, boasting a 6.75 ERA.
Sandridge, who is also making a return to the major league roster after a brief stint last month, has stood out with a 2.35 ERA over 15.1 innings in the minors. The upcoming Subway Series this weekend could provide him with the perfect opportunity to make his major-league debut, adding a bright note to an otherwise challenging situation for the Yankees.
With positive developments on the horizon as new players step in, fans remain hopeful that the team can navigate this adversity and continue to compete effectively in the remainder of the season.