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Second Tommy John Surgery Sidelines Clarke Schmidt, Intensifying Yankees’ Rotation Crisis

The operation removes New York’s fifth starter, leaving the team reliant on veteran depth options or potential deadline deals for pitching reinforcements.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Clarke Schmidt #36 of the New York Yankees reacts after a strikeout against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning during Game Three of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Jul 3, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images/File Photo

Overview

  • An MRI confirmed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in Schmidt’s right elbow and manager Aaron Boone said Tommy John surgery is inevitable, ending his 2025 season.
  • The 29-year-old went 4–4 with a 3.32 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 78.2 innings across 14 starts before landing on the injured list on July 4 with forearm tightness.
  • This second elbow reconstruction follows Schmidt’s 2017 procedure and is expected to sideline him through most of 2026, compounding losses of ace Gerrit Cole and Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.
  • New York has evaluated veterans Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans alongside Triple-A prospect Cam Schlittler as short-term rotation replacements.
  • With in-house options limited, the Yankees are actively exploring trade deadline pitching help, reportedly targeting frontline arms such as Twins’ Joe Ryan.