- The New York Yankees have already faced multiple injury concerns this spring. Giancarlo Stanton’s availability for Opening Day is uncertain due to issues in both elbows, while Austin Wells has only recently begun taking swings. The latest concern was Clarke Schmidt, who experienced a “cranky back,” though it was never officially classified as an injury. Schmidt reassured reporters, including MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, that there is no cause for concern.
Hoch reported that Clarke Schmidt, dealing with a stiff back, is set to throw a bullpen session tomorrow. Schmidt expects to be back in games soon and has no concerns about his readiness for Opening Day.
This is a significant relief for the Yankees, despite their strong pitching depth. Marcus Stroman has been the subject of trade rumors since the team signed Max Fried this offseason. With Schmidt on track for Opening Day, it could impact Stroman’s trade market, especially as he is set to pitch in Friday’s spring training opener.
The Yankees should monitor other teams dealing with pitching injuries to identify a potential trade partner for Stroman. The most notable injury so far is Frankie Montas with the Mets. However, given Stroman’s past tenure in Queens and the renewed rivalry between the two teams, a trade with the Mets seems unlikely.
Clarke Schmidt is very important to the Yankees
The Yankees bolstered their rotation by adding Max Fried this offseason but also lost two starting pitchers in key trades. They sent Nestor Cortes Jr. to the Brewers in exchange for Devin Williams and dealt Cody Poteet to the Cubs for Cody Bellinger. As a result, there is added pressure on Clarke Schmidt to build on his shortened 2024 campaign. In just 16 starts last season, he posted a 2.85 ERA with 93 strikeouts despite missing time due to injury.
The Yankees’ top three starters—Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Max Fried—form one of the most expensive rotations in baseball, earning a combined $78.33 million this season. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, slotted as the fourth and fifth starters, will earn less than $5 million combined. Developing young pitchers like Schmidt and Gil is crucial for cost savings and allocating resources elsewhere on the roster. However, if either struggles or gets injured, the Yankees may be forced to trade for another high-priced starter.
All eyes will be on Clarke Schmidt when he makes his spring training debut, but for now, the focus shifts to Marcus Stroman. On Friday, he will take the mound not only competing for an unlikely fifth-starter spot but also showcasing his value for potential trade suitors. The Yankees open their spring schedule against the Rays at 1:05 p.m.
