Yankees' Clarke Schmidt pitches four scoreless innings in second and potentially final rehab start

Schmidt could rejoin Yankees rotation next week

4/10/2025, 11:49 PM
Mar 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Young Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt made his second, and presumably final, rehab start with the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night.

In his first inning on the mound, Schmidt allowed just one walk but pitched a scoreless frame. He'd strike out the first batter he faced in the second, freezing Keaton Anthony on a curveball at the knees. He then picked up two groundball outs to end the inning.

Schmidt would pick up two more strikeouts in the third -- both looking -- to work around a one-out single. In his final inning of work, Schmidt started with the fourth and final strikeout of his night, and although he allowed a double, the right-hander did not allow them to score.

The 29-year-old completed his second rehab start, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings on 61 pitches (45 strikes). He allowed three hits but did not walk a batter, showing his command of the strike zone.

"For me, it's just getting back in the in-game feel, back in the competitive spirit, pitching in different counts, mixing and matching and getting creative out there and I felt we did that," Schmidt said of his outing. "We were getting into our areas and executing tonight. So I'm happy with that."

In Schmidt's first rehab start back on April 5, he was dominant, allowing just one hit and one walk across 3.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven batters. Schmidt threw 51 pitches (37 strikes) in that first start.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said they are penciling Schmidt to return to the rotation either April 15 or 16, when the team hosts the Kansas City Royals early next week. Of course, that's only If Schmidt comes away from Thursday's start feeling good.

"I don't want to put a target date on it. But we feel really good with where we're at and the expectation or the hope, potentially, is this upcoming week," Schmidt said.

New York will have to figure out where Schmidt fits in. They can option youngster Will Warren to the minors or designate for assignment veteran Carlos Carrasco, who has struggled to start the season after an impressive spring. A decision likely won't be made until the start of the Royals series on Monday.

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