Clarke Schmidt tossed a scoreless inning in relief of Luis Severino on Sunday, earning the win and dropping his season ERA to 1.08, but by the time he spoke with reporters after the game, he had been told he was a victim of Monday’s league-wide roster trimming, and was being sent back down to Triple-A.
“It’s a real tough pill to swallow,” the former hyped prospect said. “There’s no easy way to put it. I’ve been throwing well, I’ve been feeling well, doing my job and getting guys out. It’s part of the game.”
Schmidt was considered to be the best pitching prospect in the Yankees’ minor league ranks before injuries stunted his growth and derailed his 2021 season, but finally healthy again, he has allowed just one earned run in 8.1 innings of work. Back on April 19, he earned the win thanks to 3.1 shutout innings, striking out six along the way. That was the last time he pitched before Sunday, which will now be his last big-league inning for now.
“I was a little shocked for sure,” Schmidt said. “When he initially told me, I was caught off-guard. I didn’t know what to say. But it’s all part of it. hopefully I get back here sooner than later. It’s just tough news. You really can’t do anything about it.”
Given Schmidt’s rare usage so far this season and his two minor league options that he still has remaining, the move makes sense, but doesn’t make it sting any less given how well Schmidt was throwing the ball after laboring through a frustrating 2021. Now, he can only wait for his next opportunity.
“I get the semantics about it and all the details, but nothing makes it easier,” Schmidt said. “I’ll be good in the long run, but for now, it’s just tough. I’ll be good tomorrow though.”
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