Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt Leaves Game with Forearm Tightness Injury

Clarke Schmidt’s early exit from his Thursday start against the Toronto Blue Jays really rattled the New York Yankees. The young righty left the mound after only three innings and 55 pitches, mentioning right forearm tightness.

With an MRI coming up to figure out how bad it is, both Schmidt and the Yankees are staring down a pretty uncertain path. To make matters worse, the Yankees lost 8-5, got swept in the series, and dropped to second place in the AL East.

Schmidt’s Early Exit Raises Alarms

Seeing Clarke Schmidt leave a game early isn’t exactly new, but it sure isn’t something anyone wants to get used to. Even though Schmidt didn’t show obvious pain during the loss to the Blue Jays, the official word—right forearm tightness—sent a wave of worry through the organization.

Forearm issues can be a warning sign for bigger elbow problems, sometimes even leading to Tommy John surgery. The Yankees ordering an MRI really drives home how concerned they are.

A History of Injuries Clouds Schmidt’s Career

This setback stings even more when you remember Schmidt’s injury history. Back in 2017, the 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery and missed most of two seasons.

He’s flashed serious talent in the majors, but staying healthy has always been a challenge. Lately, he’s been bouncing back more slowly between starts, so the Yankees had started giving him extra rest before one of his recent outings.

But this time, he was on the usual four days’ rest heading into Thursday. Now, those old recovery worries are back in the spotlight.

Yankees Left Scrambling as Toronto Takes Advantage

Schmidt’s early exit lined up with another tough night for the Yankees, who got swept by a Toronto team that’s really heating up. New York managed to tie the game in the fourth, but Toronto’s offense just wouldn’t quit.

Clayton Beeter came in to relieve Schmidt in the bottom of the fourth, but by then, the damage was done. The 8-5 loss knocked the Yankees down another peg in the AL East race.

Clarke Schmidt Addresses the Injury

After the game, Schmidt talked about why he left after just three innings. He sounded a bit hopeful that getting off the mound early might’ve stopped things from getting worse, but he didn’t hide how nerve-wracking forearm tightness can be.

“When you hear forearm, you immediately think the worst, but I had to trust it was the right call to stop pitching,” Schmidt said. The uncertainty about his arm clearly weighed on him.

The MRI feels like a make-or-break moment for his 2025 season.

What’s Next for the Yankees and Schmidt?

The Yankees will probably play it safe with Schmidt while they wait for the MRI results. If he ends up missing a lot of time—or surgery is on the table—that’d throw a wrench into their pitching plans.

They’re already short on reliable starters, so losing Schmidt would pile even more work onto the bullpen and the rest of the rotation.

• Potential Call-Ups: The Yankees might have to call up someone from the minors. Guys like Will Warren or Randy Vasquez could get a shot in the rotation.
• Trade Deadline Adjustments: With the trade deadline coming up, Schmidt’s injury could push the Yankees to look even harder for pitching help.
• Extra Rest for Starters: They could shuffle the rotation or use spot starts to give their remaining pitchers a break.

Schmidt’s situation could also make the Yankees rethink how they manage his workload, especially given his long history of arm trouble.

High Stakes for the Yankees as Schmidt Awaits MRI Results

The Yankees are at a crossroads right now as they wait for news on Clarke Schmidt’s injury. These MRI results could change a lot, not just for Schmidt’s career but for the team’s shot in a really tough AL East.

For Schmidt, the scan might mean he just shakes off a minor issue. Or maybe he faces another long stretch on the sidelines—nobody knows yet.

The Yankees, meanwhile, could see their whole season take a different turn depending on what the doctors find. Guess we’ll all just have to hang tight and see what happens next with one of baseball’s most storied teams.

 
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