Clarke Schmidt is close to returning to the New York Yankees. Schmidt has been recovering from Tommy John surgery and he is expected to be activated on Wednesday as the team continues its series against the Minnesota Twins, according to Gray Phillips of NY Daily News Sports.

“Aaron Boone said Clarke Schmidt should be activated tomorrow, as expected,” Phillips reported Wednesday.

Schmidt's return from injury will give the Yankees another reliable pitcher. The 30-year-old turned in a 3.32 ERA across 14 outings before getting injured last year. In 2024, he recorded a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts. Schmidt can work as a starter or out of the bullpen.

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New York's starting rotation already features Cam Schlittler, Carlos Rodon, Max Fried and Gerrit Cole. The four-man rotation is already set with the postseason right around the corner, but having a flexible hurler like Schmidt on the pitching staff won't hurt matters in the playoffs.

Overall, the Yankees hold an 87-63 record. They are set to reach the postseason as an American League Wild Card ball club at the very least. New York currently has the top AL Wild Card spot. Winning the American League East division would be preferred for this team, of course. At the moment, the Yankees trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 3.5 games in the AL East.

For now, the Yankees are focused on their series against the Twins. New York earned an 8-3 victory to begin the series on Monday night. The ball club will play the Twins on Tuesday night at 7:40 PM ET.