Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt faces major setback with expected Tommy John surgery

Once again, a major injury has upset the pitching rotation of the New York Yankees. Right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt was discovered to have a torn UCL in his elbow on July 5, 2025 and will likely need Tommy John surgery.

This abrupt growth happens at a time when the Yankees already face serious health problems throughout their pitching staff. Schmidt will probably miss the whole 2025 campaign as well as much of 2026.

Clarke Schmidt expected to miss extended time after second Tommy John surgery

On Friday, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters that Clarke Schmidt would most likely have Tommy John surgery after a UCL tear. On July 4, the 29-year-old righty had just gone on the 15-day injured list for what was initially said to be forearm tightness.

The problem turned out to be more serious. The New York Post's Joel Sherman said that Boone spoke during a media briefing.

Before the injury announcement, Clarke Schmidt had quietly pieced together a solid season. Despite starting his 2025 campaign late due to rotator cuff tendonitis, Schmidt posted a 3.32 ERA over 78.2 innings. He carried a streak of 28 1/3 scoreless innings in June, which added stability to a Yankees rotation already missing key arms.

But trouble returned when he gave up seven earned runs in his last two starts against the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. He was pulled from the July 3 game against Toronto after just three innings.

Clarke Schmidt’s injury adds pressure to Yankees rotation plans

This is the second time Clarke Schmidt will have Tommy John surgery, the first being in 2017 when he was a college pitcher at South Carolina. He also missed parts of the 2021 and 2024 seasons due to arm and lat injuries. Given the typical recovery time of 13–15 months, Schmidt may not return until the end of 2026 or even Opening Day 2027.Also Read: Paul Skenes Faces Brutal Distraction As Livvy Dunne Breakup Buzz Links Her To Jacob MisiorowskiWith Schmidt joining Gerrit Cole and Jake Cousins as Yankees pitchers sidelined by Tommy John surgery this year, the rotation depth is being tested. Aaron Boone now looks toward Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough, both expected back after the All-Star break. Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren round out the current rotation. The Yankees may also explore trade options before the deadline to patch their rotation woes.Schmidt remains arbitration-controlled through 2027, but the team could consider a short-term contract to support his rehab.