This is the last thing the New York Yankees needed to hear.
The New York Yankees are already dealing with multiple injury recoveries in their starting rotation, as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are both making their ways back from respective surgeries.
While there has been all good news on the Cole and Rodon front, another health concern has emerged for the Yankees' pitching staff.
Cam Schlittler, New York's breakout star from 2025, is currently dealing with some mid-back inflammation and a bit in his lat.
While Schlittler doesn't seem worried about the issue, it's definitely something to monitor as the Yankees move forward in Spring Training.
“It’s just so insignificant,” Schlittler said, via Greg Joyce of The New York Post. “It’s very minor. We’re just taking some precautions for a few days and that’s really it. ... I’ve been dealing with it for a little bit, so just want to make sure I’m on top of it and ready for Opening Day and that week in San Fran[cisco].”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Schlittler received "good news" on tests he underwent on his back, so hopefully, this all much ado about nothing.
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.But you can't help but be slightly perturbed.
Schlittler made 14 regular-season starts last season, pitching to the tune of a 2.96 ERA while allowing 58 hits and racking up 84 strikeouts over 73 innings. He also tossed a legendary performance in Game 3 of New York's AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, posting eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts and no walks.
It should be noted that the 24-year-old briefly deal with biceps discomfort in 2025, but it only caused him to miss one start.
Thankfully, it isn't his arm this time around, but back injuries must be properly managed. It's also important to remember that Luis Gil missed the first several months of last season due to a lat injury, so the Yanks must take the right precautions.
Schlittler was originally selected by the Bronx Bombers in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft and was never really viewed as an elite prospect across baseball, but he certainly displayed tremendous stuff during his rookie campaign.
The right-hander has the potential to become the Yankees' best pitcher within the next couple of years, health permitting.
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