The New York Yankees are facing another setback as their pitcher, Clarke Schmidt, has been pulled from his scheduled Grapefruit League start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Instead of taking the mound on Monday, Schmidt will be participating in a bullpen session due to shoulder discomfort, according to manager Aaron Boone.
Schmidt, a 29-year-old right-hander, had a promising season last year, finishing with a record of 5-5 and an ERA of 2.85 over 16 starts. His absence adds to a growing list of injury concerns for the Yankees as they gear up for the new season.
The Yankees’ pitching staff, in particular, has been hit hard. Star pitcher Gerrit Cole has been sidelined with an elbow injury that will keep him out for the season. Additionally, right-hander Luis Gil, the team’s standout AL Rookie of the Year winner, is currently dealing with a lat strain. On the offensive front, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is also out due to elbow pain.
Despite these challenges, the Yankees are still hopeful for the upcoming season. Last year, they topped the AL East and battled the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. While they suffered the loss of Juan Soto to free agency, the team bolstered their ranks by adding significant talent including pitcher Max Fried, reliever Devin Williams, and hitters Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt.
As the Yankees navigate these injury woes, they remain focused on staying competitive and making another strong playoff push in the upcoming season.
