With Frankie Montas out for much of the season if not all of it, Domingo German looks to be the one to slot into the fifth spot in the Yankees’ rotation – leaving Clarke Schmidt likely as the next wave of depth as the No. 6 starter, so to speak.
But that doesn’t mean that’s all Schmidt will do, because Yankees skipper Aaron Boone indicated Friday that the Yankees see Schmidt as someone capable of being a weapon in 2023 in a variety of roles.
“We definitely think he has the ability to start, but he’s already pitched in meaningful roles for us in the bullpen, a lot of different roles,” said. “He’s got a lot of confidence.”
Schmidt made three starts and 26 relief appearances for the Yankees last season, posting a 3/12 ERA In 57 2/3 total innings – but he allowed six earned runs in 11 2/3 innings as a starter and 14 in 46 relief innings, which is in line with what the Yankees saw in his brief call-ups in 2020 and 2021.
The righty now has a new pitch in his arsenal, though, which could make him even more dangerous in either situation – and perhaps make him more dominant in a longer relief role.
“He’s incorporated his cutter this year, which looks like a real pitch to us and to him, and it’s something that’s adding to his confidence level right now,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s one of those guys that’s in a good spot that is competing for a lot of different things, and I can see him in a lot of different roles.”
The Yankees have copious bullpen depth, already more than eight names vying for those spots in the bullpen, but if the idea is to bring the best 13 arms north, Schmidt may end up in relief on Opening Day.
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