Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt takes big step forward amid Tommy John surgery recovery

The New York Yankees pitching staff has been on fire in the early part of the season. Manager Aaron Boone’s hurlers have an earned run average of 2.14 through the team’s first 12 games, and that’s the best in baseball. The Yankees got some positive news about the future of their pitching staff when Clarke Schmidt threw off a mound Friday.

Schmidt’s 2025 season came to an end last year after he felt discomfort in his elbow. He had Tommy John surgery and missed the rest of the season. Throwing 10 pitches off the mound represents significant progress for the pitcher and the Yankees are hoping that he can continue on a slow but steady path to recovery.

If Schmidt’s recovery stays on track, he will be able to pitch to live batters in June and then possibly make a return to Big League competition in August.

In addition to Schmidt’s absence, the Yankees are missing two of their best starting pitchers. Gerrit  Cole and Carlos Rodon remain sidelined at this point. Both Cole and Rodon are expected to return to the rotation in the coming weeks.

Schmidt pitched 78.2 innings for the Yankees last season. He had a 3.32 ERA at the time he went down, so it’s clear he has the ability to get the best of Major League hitters on a regular basis.

The Yankees are depending on Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Ryan Weathers and Will Warren to this point in the season. Fried has pitched 20.0 innings and he has a 2-0 record with a sparkling 1.35 ERA while Schlitter is also 2-0 and he has a 1.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 16.2 innings.

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