NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt was unable to start Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays due to discomfort on his left side, prompting Ryan Yarbrough to step in as the replacement. Schmidt clarified that this soreness is not related to the right rotator cuff tendinitis that kept him from playing between his sole spring training pitch on March 11 and his season debut on April 16.
After undergoing an MRI on Friday, no injury was detected. Yankees manager Aaron Boone decided to scratch Schmidt from the start following Max Fried’s impressive seven innings against the Rays in the series opener. “I told them I was ready today,” Schmidt commented prior to the Yankees’ narrow 3-2 defeat that Saturday. “I was initially expecting to start, but considering Max’s extensive pitch and the flexibility with the bullpen, the decision was made otherwise.”
Currently holding a 0-1 record with a 5.52 ERA over three starts and 14 2/3 innings, the 29-year-old Schmidt reported increased soreness after a high of 90 pitches against Toronto on April 27. Schmidt is optimistic about starting against San Diego on Tuesday night, benefiting from an off day on Thursday for additional recovery before a game in Seattle. “Clarke’s experience with previous setbacks and minor issues made him cautious,” Boone shared. “It’s reassuring, though, as he appears on track to be alright moving forward.”
Ryan Yarbrough, a 33-year-old left-hander known for his distinctive pitching style, threw 53 pitches in relief of Will Warren during Monday’s 4-3 loss at Baltimore. Boone noted, “It’s a distinct approach that’s not commonly seen.” From 2018 to 2022, Yarbrough played for Tampa Bay, contributing both as a starter and reliever, including appearances in the 2022 World Series. Rays manager Kevin Cash praised, “He pitched significant innings for us with success in varying roles.”
Cash indicated that Boone’s late-night text and call on Friday informed him of the pitching change, causing adjustments in his lineup. “Originally, we planned a lot of left-handed hitters for a matchup against Schmidt, but we had to reconsider our strategy quickly,” Cash explained. During the game, Yarbrough conceded one run and one hit over four innings, with three walks and two strikeouts across 64 pitches. His standout play was dodging Yandy Díaz’s shattered bat while fielding a comebacker for an inning-ending out.
Despite some control issues, Boone expressed satisfaction with Yarbrough’s performance, saying, “He met our expectations by giving us four innings and allowing just one run.” Informed of his start prior to leaving the clubhouse on Friday, Yarbrough attempted to convince Boone to let him pitch the fifth inning, remarking he didn’t quite have the desired feel for his cutter. “While the cutter wasn’t my strongest tool today, I perhaps relied too heavily on it,” Yarbrough admitted.
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman, sidelined since April 11 due to left knee inflammation, was able to conduct a bullpen session on Friday. Boone stated, “He’s received some treatments to alleviate lingering discomfort, though we’re unsure about the timeline for his return.”