The Yankees are patiently waiting for some of their injured players to return and help support not just the starting rotation but the bullpen as well. Ian Hamilton is working his way back, and Scott Effross has been building up in Triple-A over the past few weeks. However, starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt made a big step toward recovery, enjoying a bullpen session on Tuesday, striking out both Carlos Narvaez and Jon Berti, courtesy of a beautiful curveball and a few dotted fastballs.
The Yankees Need Clarke Schmidt Back in the Mix Schmidt left the team several months ago with a 2.52 ERA, including a career-high 9.94 strikeouts per nine, 84.
1% left on-base rate, and 39% ground ball rate over 60.2 innings. He made just 11 appearances and hosted a 1.
2 WAR, suggesting he was making great progress and on pace to have his most successful season yet. Unfortunately, a right lat injury derailed his campaign, but the Yankees viewed him as a de facto trade deadline addition with his anticipated return in August. Schmidt ranked in the 94th percentile, 86th percentile in whiff rate, and 80th percentile in strikeout rate.
He had increased the usage of his cutter to 35.6% from 27.9% last year, even adding 1.
1 mph to reach 92.4 before the injury. However, his sweeper was his most effective pitch, hosting a .
196 batting average against on 23.9% usage. A Big Stroman Decision Looming The Yankees will certainly have some big decisions to make when Schmidt returns, but their biggest choice will be.