Yankees Pitcher Clarke Schmidt Leaves Game with Forearm Tightness

The New York Yankees’ Thursday night loss to the Toronto Blue Jays took a back seat to something more troubling. Right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt left the game after just three innings because of tightness in his right forearm.

Schmidt has been one of New York’s most reliable arms this season. His early exit immediately raises concerns about the team’s pitching depth, especially considering his previous injuries.

Schmidt started Thursday’s game with some optimism, but things just didn’t click. Over three innings, he gave up three earned runs on four hits, including a home run.

He threw 55 pitches, but his command was off. He walked two and struck out only one batter, and just 31 of his pitches went for strikes—a dip from his usual efficiency.

Statistically, Schmidt has played a big role in the Yankees’ rotation this year. He’s put up a 4-4 record with a sharp 3.32 ERA across 14 starts.

But this short outing against Toronto? It’s hard not to worry. Forearm tightness can mean a lot of things, but for pitchers with a history of arm issues, it’s always a red flag.

People are already combing through Schmidt’s recent games, looking for hints of trouble. It’s a tense time for anyone following the Yankees closely.

Schmidt’s 2024 season has been a wild ride. Earlier on, he missed a chunk of games because of a lat strain, which limited him to just over 85 innings so far.

Still, he’s managed some great moments. That outing against Baltimore on June 21 stands out—he threw 103 pitches over seven hitless innings, part of a streak of 28 1/3 scoreless frames.

Honestly, that kind of workload might have pushed his arm too far. It’s hard not to wonder if that set him up for more trouble now.

Schmidt’s injury history looms large. The earlier lat strain already made people nervous about how much the Yankees were leaning on him, especially with the rest of the rotation in flux.

Forearm tightness isn’t always a season-ender, but it’s ended plenty of seasons before. Schmidt’s recovery is suddenly a huge question mark for the Yankees’ playoff hopes.

When Schmidt left the mound, the Yankees handed the ball to right-hander Clayton Beeter for the fourth inning. Beeter’s going to have to step up if Schmidt can’t go in the next few games.

He’s shown flashes in his limited time, but jumping into a starter’s role during a heated divisional race? That’s a lot to ask. The Yankees will need every bit of pitching depth they can muster as September creeps closer.

For fans, Schmidt’s forearm tightness is a harsh reminder of how fragile pitching depth can be. With the team fighting for a playoff spot, losing a steady arm like his could really sting.

Whether he’s out for days or weeks, the rotation’s going to feel it. Fans will be glued to updates, hoping for good news as the Yankees figure out their next move.

The Bottom Line

Clarke Schmidt’s injury adds another layer of uncertainty to an already turbulent Yankees season.

His overall numbers suggest he’s been a bright spot in the rotation.

But his prior injuries and that short outing against the Blue Jays make you wonder just how fragile pitching health can be.

The Yankees really need Schmidt healthy as they head into the season’s most pivotal stretch.

Right now, fans and experts are just waiting, hoping Schmidt’s forearm tightness turns out to be nothing more than a minor setback in what’s been a gutsy comeback year.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt exits start vs. Blue Jays with right forearm tightness