“Shoulder soreness.” Those two words can send shivers down any baseball fan’s spine, particularly Yankees fans now. After all, with the ever-expanding injury list, you can only hope for so much. With key players like Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil already missing,  there has been some activity on the injury status of the Yankees’ $3.6 million pitcher. It might be a fair stretch to say that all hope might not be lost. At least, not just yet…

Let’s go through what happened, step by step. On March 16, Clarke Schmidt was scheduled to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but then he was pulled out owing to shoulder soreness. Cam Schlittler had pitched instead, which was a warning sign that something was amiss. Then came Monday, March 17, and the news was official: Schmidt was not to pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays. The reason? Soreness in this pitching shoulder.

Reflecting on the same, Aaron Boone said, “With some of the attrition we’ve had, it’s not something we want to push. He’s just not bouncing back as well as he wanted to.” The team didn’t rush him to get tests, which could mean they weren’t too worried, or maybe they were just being extra careful. Rather, he had a practice session in the bullpen.

Then, a tweet from baseball reporter Bryan Hoch gave Yankees fans a reason to smile. On March 17, Hoch wrote: “Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) threw about 24 pitches in the bullpen and said he felt good. He hopes to bounce back well and is working toward being ready for the April 3 start vs. Arizona.” This was the key information! It meant Schmidt was feeling better, and he might still be able to pitch in the game against the Diamondbacks on April 3.

The Yankees’ cautious approach with Schmidt isn’t just about one pitcher. It speaks to a broader, more precarious situation. The roster has been decimated by injuries to its pitching staff. Ace Gerrit Cole went down for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Luis Gil, a rising star, is sidelined for at least three months with a high-grade lat strain. JT Brubaker is also recovering from rib fractures. With so many key arms unavailable, the Yankees simply cannot afford to lose another starter, even for a short period. Every twinge, every ache, is magnified by the existing absences.

Clarke Schmidt’s scare: Yankees exercise caution with key pitcher

Manager Aaron Boone has said many times that the team is being careful and focusing on the long term. He mentioned that they didn’t need to do immediate tests, and the bullpen practice was the first step. Schmidt himself said, “I wouldn’t be throwing if there was a concern of something major.” This means both the player and the manager are on the same page.

And frankly, the Yankees need Clark Schmidt. In 2024, he showed his growth and promise. He went on to make 16 starts, throwing 85.1 innings with a 2.85 ERA. Even his FIP was a solid 3.58. He had a strong strikeout rate himself (9.81 K/9), with a walk rate that was more defensible (3.16 BB/9), for a final season WAR of 1.7. All this while being away for nearly three months due to a high-grade lat strain? Impressive!

With Cole and Gil sidelined, Schmidt’s presence in the rotation becomes even more vital. He’s not just a replacement; he’s a potential anchor. And the Yankees aren’t alone in navigating the treacherous waters of pre-season injuries. Teams all around Major League Baseball are grappling with similar issues. The New York Mets are carefully treating infielder Ronny Mauricio‘s rehabilitation after an ACL tear. The Houston Astros are keeping an eye on Christian Walker‘s oblique issue and the Boston Red Sox already lost pitcher Lucas Giolito for the rest of the season. The Texas Rangers are also uncertain about Jon Gray.

This widespread trend underscores the delicate balance between preparing players for the grueling season ahead and protecting them from potential harm. Do you think it’s right? Let us know in the comments below.