Yankees Could Finally Cut Ties With Disappointing Pitcher

All season long, the New York Yankees were awaiting the return of Clarke Schmidt, who was expected to bolster the team's bullpen late in the year.

Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025 and missed almost all of 2026 as a result, and while he was supposed to return in August, a minor setback pushed his comeback date back even further.

The right-hander finally returned in September, pitching all of 0.2 innings for the Yankees before heading back to the injured list with a biceps injury.

Yeah, it might be time to turn the page.

Schmidt is projected to make $4.5 million in arbitration next season. That doesn't seem like a whole lot for a ballclub with a payroll north of $300 million, but it matters when the player in question is never available.

Since 2024, Schmidt has pitched in a grand total of 31 games. He was a full-time starter for New York in 2024 and 2025, logging ERAs of 2.85 and 3.34, respectively. When he was actually on the mound, he was effective.

But that's the problem: Schmidt is on the injured list far too often.

Now 30 years old, the former top prospect may have run out of time to prove himself in the Bronx. The Yankees' five-man rotation consists of Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Will Warren. Ryan Weathers is hanging around, as well.

So clearly, Schmidt's days as a starter are over. At least with the Yankees.

As far as him pitching out of the bullpen? He's done it in the past, and he has excelled in that role. But can New York actually count on him?

The Yanks have five key relievers hitting free agency this winter: David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill and John Schreiber. Taking that into consideration, there might be an opportunity for Schmidt to carve out a niche in the Bronx next spring.

But that would require the Yankees trusting him to stay healthy, which is something he hasn't done since 2023.

The non-tender deadline is Nov. 20, and Schmidt seems like a prime candidate to get dumped. That's especially with New York watching its payroll like a fine-toothed comb in recent days, and with the Yankees likely needing to spend significant money elsewhere.

There was a time when it looked like Schmidt had a legitimate future in the Bronx, but his right arm was simply not able to handle it.