TORONTO, Canada — A wave of concern is spreading among New York Yankees fans after pitcher Clarke Schmidt abruptly left the field in the middle of Wednesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, with signs of a right forearm injury.
Schmidt played just three innings before the training staff pulled him from the field with what was described as a “right forearm tightness” — a sign that many feared could be a serious recurrence of the injury, even a warning sign that he might need Tommy John surgery that has haunted him since 2017.
Before leaving the field, Schmidt threw 55 pitches, allowing three runs on four hits, including a two-run home run from George Springer. Despite showing no obvious signs of pain, the Yankees took no chances and called on Clayton Beeter to replace him at the start of the fourth inning.
Schmidt had been having a strong season before the injury, posting a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts — making him a vital part of a lineup that has been ravaged by other injuries.
Schmidt had Tommy John surgery in 2017 and recently missed nearly two months of the 2025 season with rotator cuff strain. The Yankees have adjusted his starting schedule to help him recover, but with his current situation, those plans may have to change.
“Forearm tightness is never good news for a pitcher. It can be an early sign of a more serious injury,” said one sports medicine expert.
If Schmidt is sidelined for an extended period of time, the Yankees will be in real trouble. Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman are all nursing injuries, leaving a gaping hole in the lineup. The most logical replacement for the team right now is Allan Winans, who is currently playing in Triple-A.
The possibility of calling up Winans or experimenting with a six-day schedule between starts is on the table.
With a packed schedule between now and the All-Star break, the Yankees not only need an emergency tactical solution, but they also have to hope Schmidt’s medical results aren’t too serious. Losing one of their most consistent pitchers at the moment could have a direct impact on their quest to compete in the American League East.
Clarke Schmidt’s injury is a serious warning bell for the Yankees. If the results of the tests confirm a more serious injury, the team will have to quickly turn things around amid the ongoing injury storm.
Meanwhile, fans can only hope that Schmidt will avoid the “worst case scenario” and return to the field soon.