### Yankees' Clarke Schmidt Faces Major Setback with Second Tommy John Surgery The New York Yankees are grappling with a significant blow to their pitching rotation as Clarke Schmidt, a promising starter, is set to undergo a second Tommy John surgery. This procedure will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025 season and likely extend into much of the 2026 season, marking a critical juncture in his career. Schmidt's injury comes as the Yankees are already dealing with a series of setbacks in their pitching staff, raising concerns about their competitiveness in the ongoing season. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - Clarke Schmidt has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, necessitating the surgery [https://abc7ny.com/post/new-york-yankees-starting-pitcher-clarke-schmidt-miss-remainder-season-second-tommy-john-surgery/17059653]. - This will be his second Tommy John surgery, having previously undergone the procedure in May 2017 [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday]. 2. **Impact on the Team**: - Schmidt's absence is a significant loss for the Yankees, who are already facing challenges with their pitching rotation. He had a record of 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts this season [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday]. - Manager Aaron Boone indicated that the team may need to explore trade options to bolster their rotation in light of this injury [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/should_yankees_target_nl_ace_after_clarke_schmidt_injury_news/s1_13132_42438993]. 3. **Future Considerations**: - The Yankees are under pressure to make strategic trades before the July 31 deadline to compensate for Schmidt's loss. Potential targets include pitchers like Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who could provide immediate support [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/should_yankees_target_nl_ace_after_clarke_schmidt_injury_news/s1_13132_42438993]. - The recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery typically spans 13-15 months, which means Schmidt's return could extend into the 2026 season [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Performance Metrics**: - **2025 Season Stats**: - Record: 4-4 - ERA: 3.32 - Innings Pitched: 78.2 - Strikeouts: 73 - Walks: 30 [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday]. - **Injury History**: - Previous Tommy John surgery in May 2017, which raises concerns about his long-term durability [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for the Yankees In summary, Clarke Schmidt's impending second Tommy John surgery represents a critical setback for the New York Yankees, impacting both their current season and future prospects. The team must now navigate the challenges of an injury-riddled rotation while considering strategic trades to maintain competitiveness. 1. **Immediate Impact**: Schmidt's surgery will sideline him for the rest of the 2025 season and potentially most of 2026. 2. **Team Strategy**: The Yankees are likely to pursue trades to fill the gap left by Schmidt's absence. 3. **Long-Term Outlook**: The recovery from Tommy John surgery is lengthy, raising questions about Schmidt's future performance and the Yankees' rotation depth moving forward. The Yankees' management faces a crucial period as they adapt to this significant loss while aiming to remain competitive in the league [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-clarke-schmidt-having-tommy-john-surgery-friday].