The Yankees got a bit of a scare earlier this week when starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt reported some discomfort in his back. Manager Aaron Boone described it as a “cranky back” on Wednesday, a phrase that tends to make fans uneasy, given how unpredictable injuries can be in spring training.
Fortunately, Schmidt himself downplayed any concerns, stating he’d be throwing a bullpen session on Friday and expects to be back in action soon. That means, at least for now, there’s no indication this issue will affect his availability for Opening Day.
A Crucial Arm for the Rotation
Schmidt has emerged as an important piece of the Yankees’ rotation, showing flashes of real potential in 2024 before an injury cut his season short.