Clarke Schmidt set to begin his Yankees playoff bullpen audition

The return of a pitcher who has missed over a year due to injury is cause for celebration within a team — a moment of gratitude toward and validation for the pitching, training and medical staffs and a moment of reflection and appreciation from the pitcher. 

So the Yankees will celebrate the impending return of Clarke Schmidt. But immediately afterward, they will begin determining how much he can help a team that needs it. 

“I think he could be huge,” manager Aaron Boone said Sunday before claiming the Subway Series with a 2-0 win in The Bronx. 

Schmidt finished up his rehab assignment Saturday and is expected to be activated sometime in Minnesota for a series that begins Monday. 

For what will be his first game since July 3, 2025, after which he required Tommy John surgery, Schmidt acknowledged his excitement level is “very high.” 

“Obviously this has been a long journey,” said Schmidt, who proudly added he has his “bags packed” for the road trip. “So a lot of anticipation, and it’s going to kind of probably feel like a debut when I go out there.” 

New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt reacts as he walks off the mound after ending the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Yankee Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

But it won’t be a debut. It will be Schmidt, who went down as a starting pitcher, returning as a reliever who quickly enters a competition for an October roster spot and serious innings. 

Virtually the only relievers assured of spots on the Yankees playoff roster are David Bednar, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick (with even Tim Hill’s spot somewhat in doubt). Otherwise, the Yankees have around a dozen arms seeking to separate themselves, a group to which Schmidt belongs. 

In five minor league outings, the 30-year-old faced 26 batters and struck out 11. He allowed three earned runs (all three in his first two appearances) in seven innings in which he let up six hits and walked one. He aimed a four-seamer on the outside of the plate Saturday and glanced up and saw “95, 96” on the radar gun, which reinforced that he felt ready. 

New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt throws a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Yankee Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It was really quality, and I just noticed that my [pitch] shapes kept getting better and better each outing,” Schmidt said. “And this last outing I was like, ‘OK, I feel like my arm’s moving really quick. My body feels really good mechanically.’” 

Schmidt, who has been a reliever in the past, will not return as a traditional bullpen arm. He won’t be asked to go back to back, at least not immediately, and likely will not go longer than two innings. 

But if those one- or two-inning bursts go well, a talented arm who had owned a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts before going down last year would elevate from nice story to needed relief. 

“I think he’s throwing the ball really well,” Boone said. “His stuff’s really good right now. I feel like it has been for the last month. So, I think he definitely could be an interesting guy for us down there, and hopefully that’s the case.” 

Spencer Jones (1-for-3), who launched a long single to the right field wall, has hit safely in 13 of his past 15 games and is slashing .396/.455/.583 in the span. 

Giancarlo Stanton continues hitting and participating in hitters meetings, but there is “nothing imminent” regarding a return, Boone said. 

Stanton suffered his third calf strain of the season, and first in his left leg, nearly four weeks ago. There is no guarantee he returns this season. 

Boone did not have much of an update regarding Trent Grisham, who is “doing some running stuff” after straining his hamstring Sept. 4. 

Boone said he did not know whether Grisham would be able to return during the regular season. 

Boone walked with a limp and a soft brace on his knee and said he would have to see a doctor. He hurt himself playing long toss with Aaron Judge in Anaheim, and the knee worsened Saturday night. 

“The last time this happened, we ended up with Alex Rodriguez,” a reporter cracked.