Yankees’ Injury News: Clarkin to DL

Pitching prospect Ian Clarkin. Mandatory Credit: milb.com

The injury bug for the New York Yankees pitching staff has spread. Baseball America’s minor league report confirms that Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Ian Clarkin has been placed on the 7-day disabled list. The injury is not considered serious as he merely twisted an ankle during conditioning, however, he is expected to miss at least one start.

No matter how minor the injury is it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Clarkin, who was drafted in the first round of last year’s June MLB Amateur Draft, was immediately the Yankees number one left-handed pitching prospect. He is also considered a top ten overall prospect throughout the entire Yankees farm system.

Clarkin started out the season up and down. He would have great games and mediocre games. He still struggles with control averaging 3 BB/ 9, but his strikeout ratio is over one per inning. The end of use brought Clarkin’s best stretch of the season. Clarkin was on fire over his last three starts of June, allowing one earned run over 16 innings while striking out 20 and walking seven. His most recent start on July 1st was a bit rocky as he allowed four runs in four innings, however he escaped with a no decision. Clarkin will now have to wait at least one start to get back into the groove.

On the bright side, left-handed pitcher Eric Wooten is expected to be activated from the DL for Tuesday night’s matchup in Trenton. Hopefully, the injuries stay away for the remainder of the season and Clarkin is back quickly. The Yankees can’t afford to lose anymore pitching on any level.