Following the Yankees’ 8-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night, the team updated their plans for a number of players who are ready to begin rehab assignments including Anthony Rizzo and Clarke Schmidt.
Out since late May with a right lat strain, Schmidt is ready to begin a rehab assignment this week and will pitch on Friday with Double-A Somerset.
Schmidt will throw around 50 pitches, he said.
It’s not clear how many rehab outings the right-hander will need before rejoining the team, although Schmidt mentioned he feels really good and hopes it’s not too many.
Schmidt has made 11 starts this season for New York, pitching to a 2.52 ERA (1.14 WHIP) with 67 strikeouts in 60.2 innings. He was in the midst of his best season before getting shut down.
In five seasons with the Yanks, the 28-year-old has a 3.97 ERA in 78 games (48 starts). He made the switch to full-time starter in 2023, when he finished with a 4.64 ERA.
The news of Schmidt’s impending return comes on the same day the Yankees placed Luis Gil on the 15-day IL, which would make Schmidt an even more valuable addition for New York’s stretch run.
As for Rizzo, the first baseman has been on the shelf since mid-June with a right forearm fracture but will play in his first minor league action with Somerset over the weekend. The Yankees say he will play as the DH.
On Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone said that doctors wanted to see more healing from Rizzo’s arm before he played. The left-handed slugger he did take live BP prior to Tuesday’s game but it seems the team is ready to push Rizzo.
In addition, Jon Berti will begin his assignment on Friday alongside Schmidt in Double-A. Ian Hamilton will pitch Saturday while Cody Poteet will toe the rubber on Sunday all with Somerset.
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