After throwing four scoreless innings Thursday night at Double-A Somerset, Clarke Schmidt is expected to rejoin the New York Yankees rotation next week. He allowed three hits, struck out four, and looked sharp, throwing 61 pitches, 45 for strikes.
It was exactly what the Yankees needed to see.
But now comes the tricky part: making room.
According to The Athletic's Brendan Kuty, rookie right-hander Will Warren is the likely odd man out. Warren has shown flashes but still has minor-league options, making him the easy move. Carlos Carrasco, who's been less effective but more experienced, would have the right to refuse a demotion, and he likely would.
Right now, the Yankees appear to be choosing stability.
The decision isn't just about performance. The Yankees need to hold onto any arm they can right now.
They have already lost Gerrit Cole for the season to Tommy John surgery. They are also without Luis Gil, who is dealing with a strained lat, for at least a few more months. Warren may be the more intriguing long-term piece, but keeping Carrasco buys them time.
As Kuty notes, this could all shift again once Gil returns from his lat strain. Gil was "ahead of schedule," according to updates last week. It's unlikely he would be ready by late April or early before May. Until then, the Yankees are trying to patch together a rotation until GM Brian Cashman can get some help.
Schmidt's return gives them another dependable arm.
In the bigger picture, the Yankees also closely watch their pitchers in the upper level of the minor leagues. Cam Schlittler, a rising arm at Double-A, could be in play later this summer.
