The New York Yankees in-form starting rotation witnessed a lone setback of the season as Clarke Schmidt was placed on 15-day IL with right lat strain. Schmidt was an active part of the starters that scripted history this year with a phenomenal stretch last month.
However, the injury bug spreading the league caught the better of him as Clarke Schmidt was ruled out for nearly two months. While ace Gerrit Cole will take his place in the rotation, it won’t be happening for the next two weeks since Cole’s rehab assignment is still pending. Hence, here are three immediate reinforcements Yanks can consider to fill Schmidt’s void.
1. Ian Hamilton
Ian Hamilton, primarily known for his work as a reliever, has shown versatility that could translate well into a starting role. He burst into the big leagues last year and impressed the club with his unique pitches. While injury played its part in shunting his growth, Ian still remains a key part of the relief corps. This year, he posted a 3.09 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched, and he interestingly picked three starts last year for the Yanks towards the season’s second half. Hamilton recently recovered from COVID-19 and is now back on the roster. Ultimately, until Gerrit Cole rejoins the rotation, Ian Hamilton remains the most apt solution for the Bombers to replace Clarke Schmidt.
2. Yoendrys Gomez
Yoendrys Gomez is an exciting prospect within the New York Yankees organization who might be ready to make the jump to the big leagues. Gomez was recalled last month to replace Ian Hamilton. However, after Ian’s reinstatement from the COVID-19 injury list, Gomez was optioned back to Triple-A. This means now Yoendrys Gomez cannot be recalled unless he is directly replacing an injured player. Hence, Schmidt’s lat strain could be a blessing in disguise for Gomez. He made only a single appearance this season in pinstripes and struck out one batter without attaining damage. While promoting a young pitcher directly into the rotation comes with risks, Gomez’s high ceiling and recent performance in the minors suggest he could handle the challenge.
3. Luke Weaver
Luke Weaver is a more traditional choice to step into the rotation. With a background as a starter, Weaver brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the major leagues. He posted 29 starts with the Cincinnati Reds and the Seattle Mariners combined in 2023 before Weaver signed back with the Yankees this off-season. Luke Weaver has spent most of his career in the starter’s role and, hence, is the most preferred choice over Ian Hamilton and Yoendrys Gomez. Weaver possesses a strong changeup and curveball mix that can keep hitters off balance. His ability to go deeper into games and manage innings efficiently makes him a practical option for the Yankees. Weaver’s familiarity with various pitching roles could also help him adapt quickly and effectively to the team’s needs.
Ultimately, it’s just a matter of a couple of weeks before ace Gerrit Cole reclaims his deserved place in the Yankees starting rotation.
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