Yankees May Have to Accept This Injured Player Won't Be Returning

Heading into the 2026 MLB campaign, the New York Yankees are expecting pitcher Clarke Schmidt to return at some point during the second half and provide the staff with a lift.

It was almost surely going to be out of the bullpen, as the Yankees' starting rotation was absolutely loaded from the jump, but regardless, Schmidt was viewed as a potential contributor.

The 30-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery late last season and has been rehabbing ever since, and recently, it appeared that he was nearing a return.

Then, Schmidt experienced some forearm cramping during a bullpen session earlier this month, and he hasn't been back on the mound since.

Schmidt has been playing catch, but let's remember that at the beginning of the week, Aaron Boone said he hoped the right-hander would be pitching again in a couple of days.

Well, we are now well past that point, and Schmidt doesn't appear any closer.

MLB.com has listed Schmidt's return date as "possibly August," which doesn't sound very encouraging. I'm also not sure how realistic it actually is.

We are already smack dab in the middle of the month, and Schmidt has still not resumed throwing after his setback. What are the chances he is ready in time the next two weeks?

Remember: Schmidt will likely need to pitch in a couple of rehab games, so an August return seems pretty much impossible at this juncture. We are also reaching a juncture where we may just have to accept that the former top prospect might not be back at all this season.

It's definitely a blow, because Schmidt was expected to be a significant piece of the bullpen as we head into the playoffs. In fact, his impending return was a big reason why the Yankees didn't acquire any relief pitchers at the trade deadline. That, and because one of Ryan Weathers or Will Warren will be heading to the pen once Carlos Rodon is back.

Is it season-altering? Not really, because New York has not had Schmidt at any point this year, anyway, and I do feel that the Acworth, Ga. native has become a bit overrated in fan circles. But is still stinks.

Schmidt has been a starter since 2023, but he did pitch out of New York's bullpen in 2022 and did a fine job, managing a 2.74 ERA in 26 relief appearances.

The biggest issue with the former first-round pick has always been his health, as evidenced by the fact that he made a grand total of 30 starts between 2024 and 2025 and has yet to pitch at all here in 2026.

Perhaps we will have to wait until next spring in order to see Schmidt again.