As expected, Clarke Schmidt landed on the injured list Friday.
How long he stays on it is the question that only an MRI will begin to answer, as Schmidt headed for tests on his tight right forearm/elbow after leaving Thursday’s start early in a concerning development.
Aaron Boone had indicated late Thursday night that Schmidt could end up on the IL even if Friday’s MRI revealed only a minor issue, so the Yankees made that transaction hours before opening the Subway Series against the Mets at Citi Field.
In the meantime, the club called up relievers Scott Effross and Jayvien Sandridge – they had two spots to fill after optioning Clayton Beeter after Thursday’s loss – as fresh arms for an overworked bullpen.
Clarke Schmidt only pitched three innings Thursday.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With an off day Monday, the Yankees can skip Schmidt’s next turn through the rotation and get into the All-Star break with only four starters while carrying an extra arm in the bullpen.
But depending on what the MRI finds in Schmidt’s elbow, the Yankees may need a fifth starter coming out of the break, with their options slim as Luis Gil is still likely at least a month away from returning from his own stint on the IL for a high-grade lat strain.
And Ryan Yarbrough (oblique strain) had yet to resume throwing as of earlier this week after landing on the IL on June 22.
As for Schmidt, the right-hander had been dealing with forearm/elbow issues since his June 4 start, he said Thursday, which was making his recovery between starts slower.
Clarke Schmidt pitching Thursday.Getty Images
But he was able to manage it and was pitching well without any notable decrease in his velocity or stuff, which he said was part of the reason he had not gotten any tests over the past month.
But the tightness presented itself earlier than usual in Thursday’s start against the Blue Jays, which led Schmidt to pull himself after three innings in hopes of avoiding something more serious.
Whether he was successful or not hung in the balance with Friday’s MRI.
