A successful spring training isn’t decided by wins and losses. Entering the regular season, the biggest winners are those who have the most young talent flourish and the least amount of injuries.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt is reportedly dealing with a “cranky back,” but manager Aaron Boone doesn’t believe it will be anything serious. Schmidt missed the majority of last season with a right lat strain.
The 28-year-old was dominant pre-injury, posting a 2.52 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 60.2 innings of work. He fanned 67 batters, allowed just 20 walks, and had a batting average against of .224.
Boone added that the right-hander tossed an “aggressive” flat-ground session on Wednesday.
Yankees’ right-handed pitching prospect Chase Hampton is dealing with a right flexor strain and “something is going on in the UCL,” Boone said. Hampton is in New York City receiving further testing and Boone added, “He’s pretty bummed.”
A UCL injury could be something as serious as Tommy John surgery, which would sideline him for the next 12-to-18 months. If he doesn’t need surgery or declines the surgery, this could be an injury that lingers throughout the season.
The Bronx Bombers added Max Fried in free agency to the rotation, traded away Nestor Cortes for Devin Williams, and had been shopping Marcus Stroman. If Schmidt’s injury is more serious than it seems and Hampton misses an extended period of time with something as serious as a UCL issue, Stroman might be staying in pinstripes.
