New York Yankees fans should temper expectations when it comes to this one pitcher.
The New York Yankees are awaiting the return of both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon this season, but there is another pitcher who should be making his way back at some point in 2026: Clarke Schmidt.
Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery — his second such procedure — last July, so he is slated to return sometime during the second half of the year. That's well after Cole and Rodon, both of whom could return to the mound within a month.
But while there is understandable buzz for the comebacks of both Cole and Rodon (especially the former), I'm not sure I fully understand the excitement surrounding Schmidt.
When healthy, Schmidt has certainly shown he is a serviceable arm. He posted a 3.32 ERA over 14 starts last season, managing an impressive 1.093 WHIP. The year prior, he pitched to the tune of a 2.85 ERA across 16 starts.
But are you sensing a theme here?
Schmidt is rarely healthy.
He had his first Tommy John surgery during his junior year of college in 2017. Back in 2021, he was shut down in the spring due to an elbow injury. In 2024, a lat injury sidelined him for quite some time. Last year, he started the season late due to a rotator cuff issue.
New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt. Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images.Schmidt clearly has a very checkered medical history, and given how deep the Yankees' pitching staff currently is, I'm having trouble finding a legitimate role for him at any point in 2026.
Sure, injuries to the rest of the rotation can happen, so it's entirely possible Schmidt will have to step in for someone. But it's important to keep in mind that once Cole and Rodon are back, New York will have seven capable starting pitchers ... not including Schmidt.
Where will the right-hander fit in?
Perhaps it's because Schmidt is a former top prospect and Yankees fans do not want to believe that he can't make an impact, but we are talking about someone who has tossed 100 innings once in a seven-year big-league career.
And while the University of South Carolina product owns a solid lifetime 3.82 ERA across 97 appearances and 67 starts, he is not going to blow anyone away with his stuff.
When you also factor in how much pitching talent the Yankees have in their farm system, with names like Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez and Ben Hess all nearing major-league debuts, I just find it difficult to pencil in Schmidt for any sort of significant role.
It's great that Schmidt is getting healthy. He seems to be making terrific progress in his rehab, so good for him. But do I think he will actually establish himself as an integral part of the team this year, or going forward in general? No.
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