The countdown is on for Clarke Schmidt’s return, and it could end around this time next year.
Schmidt was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery July 11, but according to the Yankees pitcher, the injury could have been worse.
“Tommy John, it’s kind of an umbrella term these days,” Schmidt said prior to the Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Rays on Monday. “Everything that I’ve been informed of, it’s kind of the best case of Tommy John, so around a year [recovery], like 11 to 12 months.”
Schmidt said the surgeons did not need to insert a new ligament to repair his elbow. Instead, they noticed the ligament was tearing away from the bone, so they simply reattached it.
Had Schmidt needed an entirely new ligament, it could have kept him out 14-16 months, which would have meant missing all of the 2026 season.
When Schmidt was told he had to have the surgery, it was an emotional moment for the pitcher who has spent all six years of his big league career with the Yankees.
“[I was] caught off guard at first, just hearing from the doctor. Didn’t really expect it going into it,” Schmidt said. “And then, just kind of trying to process that and the emotions. Very emotional at first.”
Schmidt also said the surgery has forced him to do a “full re-centering.” He said during his time off, he will work on improving in many aspects of his game.
For some pitchers, UCL injuries can happen suddenly and out of nowhere. For Schmidt, though, there were warning signs something was wrong with his arm dating back to the series on the road against the Angels.
“The Anaheim start on the road and going into the Cleveland start at home was when the soreness really started picking up,” he said.
But for a competitive player like Schmidt, it was hard for him to get off the mound.
“I’m going to do anything I possibly can to go back out there every five days,” he said. “It’s hard to keep me off the field when I’m having a lot of success.”
The injury to Schmidt was another blow to an already reeling rotation. That includes ace Gerrit Cole, who underwent season-ending TJ surgery in spring training.
Additionally, 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil began the season rehabbing from a right lat strain and has yet to pitch a game this season. The good news for the Yankees: Gil is nearing his return.
Gil will make his final rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
