Yankees get worst possible news about starting pitcher

The New York Yankees appeared to have expected the worst when pitcher Clarke Schmidt was placed on the injured list with right forearm tightness. 

The worst-case scenario proved to be accurate. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Schmidt has a torn UCL and will likely require Tommy John surgery. As the procedure typically requires a 12-to-18-month recovery time, Schmidt will likely be sidelined for the entire 2026 season as well.

Bryan Hoch from MLB.com had reported on Friday that Schmidt had felt the forearm tightness since his start on June 4. That context makes his three outings immediately after the June 4 start all the more impressive as he allowed just six hits and five walks over 20.2 shutout innings, striking out 15 batters.

However, Schmidt had struggled over his last two outings before landing on the IL. He had allowed seven runs on eight hits and four walks over nine innings, striking out eight batters. Schmidt only completed three innings in his last start before he was removed after 55 pitches.

Overall, Schmidt had produced a solid 3.32 ERA and a 1.093 ERA in his 78.2 innings, striking out 73 batters with 30 walks. He had established himself as a stabilizing factor in the middle of the Yankees rotation, an important part of the pitching staff with pitchers Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil on the IL.

The Yankees now have another gaping hole in the rotation for both the rest of this year and potentially all of 2026. Gil should return at some point in the second half, but the likes of Will Warren and Marcus Stroman have struggled. A trade to fortify the rotation has become even more important.