Yankees: Clarke Schmidt finally gets added to 40-man roster on Friday

UPDATE: Schmidt is now on the 40-man roster!

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The New York Yankees have reportedly added Clarke Schmidt to the taxi squad.

After arguably their most disappointing and flattening loss of the season, the New York Yankees will get right back to work with a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Yet again, starting pitching is at the forefront of the conversation because there aren’t enough arms to go around with so many games lined up in a row.

That’s prompted the fans to call for Clarke Schmidt‘s promotion since the team’s top prospect was so impressive in summer camp while facing the Yankees’ best hitters in intrasquad games. But those desires have been resisted by the organization … up until now.

According to the latest buzz, Schmidt has been added to the Yankees’ taxi squad and could (COULD!) be activated on Saturday. Come on Yankees, we need a reason to shed tears of joy, not interminable sadness.

Here’s what Lindsey Adler of The Athletic had to say:

"“As of now, Schmidt is not scheduled to make a start this weekend and it is uncertain if he will be promoted to the major-league roster to make his debut.“Schmidt could be available as long-relief for the Yankees beginning on Friday if their pitching situation gets thin ahead of Game 2. He last pitched in Scranton on Sunday and threw 70 pitches, meaning he is stretched out enough to make a start or pitch in long relief.”"

The Yankees will have Michael King and Deivi Garcia starting both games of Friday’s doubleheader, but they face a bit of an issue beyond that. Though Gerrit Cole is scheduled for Saturday and Masahiro is a go for Sunday, the bullpen was taxed over the last couple of days when Jordan Montgomery was tattooed by the Tampa Bay Rays and failed to get out of the first inning.

As a result, the Yankees have used 11 relievers over the past two games and 16 over the last four, creating a need for a well-rested arm.

The complications with Schmidt’s promotion have stemmed from the fact he isn’t on the 40-man roster, but guess what? The Yankees can afford to cut loose with guys like Jonathan Holder, who’s been downright awful in the bullpen, and Erik Kratz, who’s the team’s third catcher at the moment.

Plus, fellow prospect Miguel Yajure, who impressed in his MLB debut, got the nod over Schmidt, so that’s another player general manager Brian Cashman can send back down.

The good news? Yankees fans could see Schmidt on Saturday. The bad news? It’ll likely be under poor circumstances if the starting rotation falters yet again.

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