**Yankees Face Major Setback as Clarke Schmidt Likely Needs Surgery**
The New York Yankees are grappling with another significant blow, this time due to an injury to starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt. Manager Aaron Boone announced on Saturday that Schmidt will “likely” require Tommy John surgery, a procedure that would keep him out for the remainder of this season and potentially all of next season.
At 29 years old, Schmidt has been a vital part of the Yankees’ rotation this year, boasting a 3.32 ERA over 14 starts. He recently set a franchise record by pitching 28 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. If he does undergo Tommy John surgery, it would mark the second time in his career that he has faced this procedure; he previously had the surgery in May 2017, just before the Yankees selected him in the first round of the MLB Draft from South Carolina.
Schmidt expressed his concerns prior to receiving the MRI results, stating, “Any time you’re getting an MRI on your forearm, or whatever the body part is, you’re not feeling happy about it.” He had been placed on the injured list due to right forearm soreness, which he attributed to an issue that began during his June 4 outing against the Cleveland Guardians.
In a recent game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Schmidt pitched only three innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits before exiting due to injury. With Schmidt’s potential absence, the Yankees’ starting rotation is now in a precarious position. While Max Fried and Carlos Rodon form a strong one-two punch, the rest of the rotation is uncertain. Ryan Yarbrough is currently on the injured list with an oblique injury and has not resumed throwing. Meanwhile, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is gradually returning from a lat injury.
Marcus Stroman has made two starts since coming off the injured list with a knee issue, but his performance has been inconsistent, reflected in his 7.45 ERA this season. Rookie Will Warren has shown promise but has also faced challenges, holding a 5.02 ERA over 18 starts.
To fill the gap left by Schmidt, the Yankees are calling up Cam Schlittler, who has a 3.52 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) across Double-A and Triple-A this season. The current rotation for the struggling Yankees, who have lost five consecutive games, now includes Fried, Rodon, Stroman, Warren, and Schlittler.
The Yankees have fallen out of first place for the first time since April and are now trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by two games. With a record of 48-40, the Yankees will aim to break their losing streak in an upcoming matchup against the New York Mets.
**FAQ**
**Q: What does Tommy John surgery entail for Clarke Schmidt?**
A: Tommy John surgery is a procedure to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow, which typically requires a lengthy recovery period, sidelining players for at least a year.