The Yankees could have a pair of injured starting pitchers become bullpen reinforcements for the stretch run of the season, and hopefully beyond.
Aaron Boone told reporters before Sunday's win against the Blue Jays that Clarke Schmidt will throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday as he continues his long road back from Tommy John surgery. If all goes well on Tuesday, Schmidt could begin a rehab assignment, in what would be his final hurdle before returning to the Yankees for the first time since last season.
Schmidt almost certainly will not be built back up to the point where he would be a factor in the starting rotation, which could give the Yankees another option out of the bullpen in the bridge to David Bednar. If Schmidt, who pitched like an All-Star the past two seasons before his injury, can show the efficiency he boasted in 2024 and 2025, the Yanks could have a key internal relief reinforcement for the playoffs.
Another potential bullpen weapon could be in the mix, as Boone also revealed that injured starter Ryan Weathers avoided the worst, his UCL is fully intact, and he is headed to the IL with a flexor strain that will shut him down from throwing for 2-4 weeks. The calendar leaves little wiggle room, but if Weathers can resume a throwing program on the earlier side of that timeline, he could be built back up for short outings as a lefty bullpen option, one that could be a great piece for the Yanks given how dominant Weathers had been of late.
The Yankees are hoping to get Max Fried back after the minimum 15-day stay on the IL, meaning a four-man rotation of Fried, Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, and Carlos Rodon could be healthy and ready for October. If Weathers and Schmidt could be counted on for outs out of the bullpen, what has been an electric pitching staff this season could become even deeper.
Could an already electric pitching staff be even deeper come October?
Could an already electric pitching staff be even deeper come October?
