New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt took the mound for the first time this season for a matchup against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. It wasn't a great start from Schmidt, but he got the job done. He went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and striking out two batters in the no-decision. The Yankees didn't push him too hard in this one as Schmidt only threw 73 pitches during this outing. He missed the first few weeks of the season due to a shoulder issue, so it wouldn't be shocking to see the Yankees ease him back into things. His next start will come against the Cleveland Guardians next week. Schmidt isn't a must-have fantasy option, but could help fantasy managers who are lacking talent in the pitching department.

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) is set to make his season debut on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals. He is expected to face Kansas City southpaw Kris Bubic. Schmidt has been on the 15-day injured list through the early part of the campaign due to rotator cuff tendinitis. Schmidt has made two appearances with Double-A Somerset and did not allow a run across seven 1/3 innings of work. He has struck out 11 batters and allowed one free pass with four total hits. Last season, Schmidt was limited by injuries as well, but was effective when on the bump. Across 85 1/3 innings of work, Schmidt posted a strong 26.3 percent strikeout rate with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He is a solid play in all formats on Wednesday against the Royals.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the starting rotation either April 15 or 16. Schmidt has been sidelined through the start of the campaign with rotator cuff tendinitis. However, the right-hander has performed well in his rehab outings and is expected to make his season debut next week. Across seven 1/3 innings of rehab work, Schmidt has not allowed a run and held a stellar 1:11 BB:K. He has also allowed just four hits. Last summer, Schmidt battled injuries as well, but was effective when on the bump. The South Carolina product posted a strong 2.85 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings of work. He tallied 93 punchouts. When Schmidt returns to the Yankees, he will replace either Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, or Will Warren in the rotation.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) made what is expected to be his final rehab start on Thursday. The right-hander looked excellent as he tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four batters with Double-A Somerset on Thursday. He needed only 61 pitches and was pounding the strike zone during this game. The expectation is that Schmidt is going to be activated from the injured list following this start. He has been out since spring training due to discomfort in his shoulder. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help should check the waiver wire and stash Schmidt if he's available.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) is scheduled to make his final minor-league rehab start, barring a setback, on Thursday at either Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or Double-A Somerset, according to the New York Post's Greg Joyce. Schmidt went 3 1/3 inning in his first rehab start last Saturday with Somerset and punched out seven batters without giving up a run. The 29-year-old will increase his pitch count on Thursday and then should be able to make his 2025 season debut next Tuesday, April 15, against the Kansas City Royals. Schmidt probably could have opened the year in New York's starting rotation, but the Yankees chose to play it safe after he dealt with a minor right-shoulder injury in spring training. If a lat strain hadn't cost him three months in 2024, Schmidt could have had a breakout campaign last year. Pick him up in mixed leagues if he's available on the waiver wire.

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings during his rehab outing with Double-A on Saturday. Schmidt allowed just one hit and a walk while striking out seven batters. This was an impressive showing for Schmidt, who opened the campaign on the 15-day injured list due to rotator-cuff tendinitis. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but Schmidt will likely need at least one more rehab appearance to fully build up his workload. In this start, he only threw 52 pitches. Last season, the 29-year-old missed time as well but was effective when he was on the bump, holding a 2.85 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 93 batters while generating a .225 xBA. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Schmidt to replace Carlos Carrasco or Will Warren in the starting rotation.

New York Yankees right-hander Clark Schmidt (shoulder) is making his first minor-league rehab start on Saturday for Double-A Somerset, according to the team. Schmidt dealt with a minor right-shoulder injury near the end of spring training, and rather than having him push through it to start the year in the rotation, the Yankees played it safe and had him start the year on the injured list. The 29-year-old has gotten up to 46 pitches during simulated games to this point, but now he'll stretch himself out even further as he returns to game action on the farm. Fantasy managers stashing Schmidt in deeper leagues should expect him to make at least a couple of rehab starts before he rejoins New York's starting rotation. Despite missing three months with a lat strain in 2024, Schmidt had a strong year and posted a career-best 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 93 K's and 30 walks in 16 starts.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) is scheduled to return from the injured list to make his 2025 season debut on either Tuesday, April 15, or Wednesday, April 16, against the visiting Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium, according to manager Aaron Boone. Schmidt opened the regular season on the IL due to rotator-cuff tendonitis, and he was able to throw 46 pitches during a simulated game on Monday. The 29-year-old will throw again on Saturday as he continues to build up in advance of his regular-season debut. When Schmidt rejoins the Yankees' starting rotation, it will most likely be either youngster Will Warren or veteran Carlos Carrasco who will be booted from the rotation to make room for Schmidt. Before missing three months in 2024 with a lat strain, Schmidt was on the verge of a breakout season, making him worth watching if he's on your league's waiver wire.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) completed a three-inning simulated game on Monday. Schmidt is set to throw again on Saturday. The 29-year-old opened the regular season on the 15-day injured list due to rotator cuff tendinitis. However, Schmidt appears to be increasing his workload and has yet to face any significant setbacks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could embark on a rehab assignment soon, as he was initially targeting a return to the big leagues at the end of April. Last season, Schmidt logged 85 1/3 innings and held a solid 2.85 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a 26.3 percent rate but held a modest 8.5 percent walk rate. When he is cleared to return, Will Warren will likely shift to a bullpen role or move back to Triple-A to continue his development.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) is targeting a return "in the middle of the month." The Yankees placed Schmidt on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday due to rotator cuff tendinitis. However, it appears Schmidt will not be sidelined for long. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he may only miss a few turns in the rotation. While he is sidelined, Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco will see starting opportunities. Schmidt is eligible to come off the injured list on April 8. Last season, the South Carolina product posted a 2.85 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied 93 punchouts across 85 1/3 innings while holding a modest 8.5 percent walk rate. He also generated an impressive 5.9 percent barrel rate and a .225 xBA. He is worth holding in an IL spot on your roster as he carries decent strikeout upside when he returns to action.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) was officially placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. This was expected, as Schmidt has been dealing with shoulder soreness for the past week of spring training. The injury isn't expected to be serious, and he has recently been throwing live batting practice. Expect it to be a short stay on the injured list until he is fully built up and ready to join the rotation. He posted an excellent 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 93 strikeouts in 85 innings in 2024. His 26.3% strikeout rate and 5.9% barrel rate were both well above-average marks, giving him some sleeper appeal for 2025. He is a solid IL stash for fantasy managers, and he can provide rotation depth down the line.

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list. The 29-year-old has been dealing with shoulder soreness during camp. However, given that he has begun to slowly build up his workload, fantasy managers should not expect him to miss too much time. While Schmidt is sidelined, Carlos Carrasco will likely join the starting rotation. Last season, Schmidt logged 85 1/3 innings of work with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 93 punchouts but held a high 8.5 percent walk rate. He generated a 3.78 xERA with a .225 xBA, which suggests he may face some regression when he returns to the bump in 2025. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Schmidt on an IR spot on their roster, as he should provide stable ratios with decent strikeout production when he returns to the rotation.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) could actually be healthy to start the 2025 regular season, but the New York Post's Greg Joyce writes that it still appears likely that Schmidt will begin the year on the injured list by Opening Day next Thursday. Schmidt threw two innings of live batting practice in camp on Thursday and didn't have any setbacks after he was scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Monday due to right-shoulder fatigue. The 29-year-old is just not built up enough in terms of pitch count -- he threw only 32 pitches on Thursday -- in order to be part of the Opening Day starting rotation. The Yankees haven't made anything official yet, but the best bet is that Schmidt stays back in Florida to start the year to properly build up his pitch count to somewhere around the 70-80-pitch mark. As a result, both Carlos Carrasco and prospect Will Warren could open the year in the rotation.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) threw around 30 pitches during a live batting practice session in camp on Thursday against the likes of Austin Wells, Dominic Smith, Pablo Reyes and Paul Goldschmidt, according to NJ Advance Media's Max Goodman. It's a positive step for Schmidt, but manager Aaron Boone already admitted that he won't be built up to 75-80 pitches for the start of the regular season next week. Especially after Schmidt missed three months in 2024 due to injury, the Yankees will likely play it safe and put him on the injured list to open the season. It means that the 29-year-old most likely won't make his first scheduled start of the year on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, Schmidt should be ready to make his 2025 debut in April, and he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him after a promising 2024 campaign, outside of his injuries.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has admitted that right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) won't be built up to 75-80 pitches for the beginning of the 2025 regular season. The Yankees will likely be cautious with Schmidt early on, which could open the door for both veteran Carlos Carrasco and prospect Will Warren to begin the year in the starting rotation. The 29-year-old Schmidt has been hoping all along that he'll still make his first scheduled start of the year on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it's looking more and more likely that he'll stay back in extended spring training to get stretched out further. It's a disappointment for a pitcher that also missed three months in 2024 due to a right-lat strain, but barring a setback with his shoulder, Schmidt could make his 2025 debut sooner than later in April.

The plan right now is for New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) to throw live batting practice in camp on Thursday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper said on YES Network that Schmidt could be ready on Opening Day next Thursday, but that he "obviously wouldn't be built up" in terms of his pitch count. The Yankees will have to decide if they think it would be more beneficial for the 29-year-old to stay behind in Florida to build up his arm. Schmidt has been hoping to still make his 2025 debut on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but even if he does, he wouldn't be recommended in starting fantasy lineups in single-year or DFS formats. He also missed three months with a right-lat strain in 2024, but otherwise he took a big step forward in the Yankees' rotation. Schmidt is nothing more than a late-round flier in deep fantasy leagues, but he could end up being an excellent value pick if he's healthy.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) said he feels good a day after throwing a 24-pitch bullpen session in camp. Although nothing has been announced, Schmidt could return to the mound and start Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt noted on Tuesday that he wouldn't be throwing bullpens if he was dealing with a serious injury, and he still is hoping he'll be allowed to make his 2025 debut on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 29-year-old is firmly cemented in the Yankees' starting rotation (if healthy), although he probably isn't going to be a smart DFS play in his first start of the year if he gets the green light to face Arizona. Schmidt has the stuff to build on what was a strong 2024 campaign that was interrupted by a three-month stint on the injured list due to a right-lat strain.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) said he felt "great" after throwing a 24-pitch bullpen session on Monday in camp while throwing all of his pitches. Schmidt added that he "wouldn't be throwing" if something major was wrong and still thinks that he'll be able to make his regular-season debut on April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "That's the goal," the 29-year-old said. He was originally scheduled to start a Grapefruit League game on Monday, but the Yankees are playing it safe after he didn't bounce back as expected after his last start. After all, they can't take any chances after already losing Gerrit Cole (elbow) for the year and with Luis Gil (lat) opening on the injured list. Even if Schmidt is ready to go for his April 3 start, fantasy managers may want to shy away in DFS contests for the fact that he may be on a short leash.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) won't make his scheduled spring training start on Monday. The right-hander will have his start pushed back after Schmidt experienced shoulder soreness. It doesn't sound like the organization plans to do any testing. Instead, Schmidt will still throw on Monday, so they'll likely wait and see how he feels after that. The Yankees can't afford to lose another starting pitcher with Gerrit Cole (elbow) already done for the season. For now, Schmidt should be considered day-to-day, but shoulder problems are always a concern for pitchers.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (back) allowed four hits and three earned runs across 1 2/3 innings during his spring debut on Tuesday. He tallied four punchouts and allowed one walk. Most of his damage was on a three-run shot by Baltimore first baseman Ryan Mountcastle in the opening frame. Schmidt was delayed during the start of camp due to a back injury. Even though he struggled in this outing, seeing him back on the mound suggests he remains on pace to make his scheduled regular-season debut on April 3. Last season, Schmidt posted a solid 2.85 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings of work. He tallied 93 strikeouts but held a modest 8.5 percent walk rate. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to serve as the No. 3 option in the rotation during most of the season with Gerrit Cole (elbow) set to miss the entire season and Luis Gil (lat) set to miss at least three months.