The New York Yankees have been dealt a devastating blow as starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt is set to undergo his second career Tommy John surgery—a procedure manager Aaron Boone has now called “inevitable.” The 29-year-old right-hander, who had become a vital presence in the Yankees' rotation, suffered a significant UCL injury during his most recent outing, triggering widespread concern across the franchise.
Second Tommy John surgery confirmed
Speaking ahead of the Yankees’ clash with the Mets at Citi Field, Boone delivered the sobering news.
“He’s kind of getting second opinions and things now, but yeah, not great news on that front,” Boone revealed. “We’ll see what goes on here the next couple days.”
Clarke Schmidt experienced forearm discomfort during his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, which led to a stint on the 15-day injured list. Medical imaging later confirmed the worst: damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)—an injury often requiring reconstructive surgery.
This will mark Schmidt’s second Tommy John procedure, the first occurring back in 2017. Despite the gravity of the situation, Boone noted that the pitcher remains mentally resilient.
“It is what it is, unfortunately. In a lot of ways, devastated, bummed out, but Clarke’s way is you have to flip the script and he’s getting his mind into, ‘Let’s get it fixed and get on with it.’”
A promising season cut short
Clarke Schmidt had only recently returned from right rotator cuff tendinitis, which delayed the start of his 2025 season. After debuting on April 16, he quickly proved his worth with a string of solid performances. In 14 starts, he posted a 4-4 record, a 3.32 ERA, and a career-best 1.093 WHIP. His 73 strikeouts in 78.2 innings pitched were a testament to his growing dominance on the mound. Since the start of the 2024 season, Schmidt had maintained an impressive 3.07 ERA.
“He’s become a really, really good starting pitcher in this league,” Boone emphasized. “It’s a tough blow… we gotta be able to absorb it and get some guys back in the mix soon and create another opportunity for somebody else to hopefully step in and pick up the slack.”
A void in the rotation
As Clarke Schmidt begins preparing for the long road to recovery, the Yankees now face the challenge of adjusting their rotation. With injuries piling up and key pieces sidelined, the pressure is mounting on New York's front office and coaching staff to find reliable reinforcements.
The loss of Schmidt not only removes a steady performer but also a pitcher who was on track for a breakout campaign. His setback is a reminder of the fragility of pitching arms in today’s game and the harsh realities that come with high-level performance.