MLB insider suggests injured Yankees pitcher could be considered bullpen 'addition'

All eyes are on the man they call Cashman as trade deadline talks heat up in anticipation of the Aug. 3 cutoff. As they generally are, the Yankees are considered buyers at this juncture of the season, with a right-handed-hitting outfield bat, backstop and relief help being the main areas of focus. 

Relief arms have been a dire need for the Yanks in many a recent season, as fans know all too well the sting of a surrendered lead after an early offensive explosion. But according to ESPN, the team already has capable options on its roster that it can slide into the ‘pen. 

The Yankees have bullpen-ready arms waiting in the wings ahead of trade deadline

One such player is Clarke Schmidt, who hasn’t pitched since 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last July. Schmidt, 30, went 4-4 in 14 starts last season before exiting a July 3 outing against Toronto with forearm soreness. He’d been complaining of tightness in the area since June 4, and after an MRI the next day the Yankees added him to the 15-day injured list. He needed surgery on July 11.

Schmidt’s return appears imminent: The six-year veteran faced hitters in live batting practice for the first time since his operation this week. The BP — albeit just 15 pitches — was riveting for him, serving to mimmick of a game-like scenario as he continues to ramp up from the layoff period.

“The initial feeling is of excitement – not a full game feeling with the butterflies and stuff like that but close to it,” Schmidt said via MLB.com. Schmidt reached 95 mph on his fastball during the session, and though he’s thrown breaking pitches throughout his rehab, the Yanks limited him to the four-seamer, sinker and cutter. He’ll be allowed to add breaking pitches to the mix next time around.

Schmidt has not come out of the ‘pen on a regular basis since 2022. In fact, 62 of his last 63 appearances with the Yanks have come in a starting role. But in 2022, 26 of his 29 appearances came from the ‘pen. He went 5-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 46 innings in the role.

So yes, Mason Miller, Brett Suter and a host of Mets relievers (A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver and perhaps more) will be in the Yankees' crosshairs as the phones begin buzzing for deadline week. But they'll welcome the reemergence of Schmidt as a needed veteran to fill a gaping hole in their roster.

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