Story by
Yankees Lose Pitcher for Entirety of MLB Playoffs
- Story by
- Yankees Lose Pitcher for Entirety of MLB Playoffs
The New York Yankees are moving forward without Clarke Schmidt for the rest of the 2026 postseason. After working to return from a major elbow procedure, the right-hander has run out of time to join the team's October push.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Wednesday that Schmidt has been shut down for the remainder of the season. The 30-year-old had been dealing with right biceps neuritis, an issue that interrupted his comeback just as he was trying to get ready for the playoffs.
Advertisement
Schmidt's absence is another setback for a Yankees pitching staff preparing for the American League Division Series. New York will have to make its postseason run without a pitcher who was expected to provide another option as the team navigates October.
Schmidt returned to the majors on Sept. 16 against the Minnesota Twins , making his first big league appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2025. He allowed two hits and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning in that outing.
Advertisement
The Yankees placed him on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 24, retroactive to Sept. 21. The club initially hoped he might have a chance to return later in the postseason, but his recovery did not progress quickly enough.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Schmidt's return was a long-awaited milestone after a second Tommy John surgery. However, the biceps issue prevented him from building up enough to contribute during the most important stretch of the season.
New York will now have to rely on its available arms as it moves deeper into the playoffs. Schmidt's focus shifts to getting healthy for 2027, while the Yankees continue their pursuit of a championship without him.
Advertisement
ALSO SEE: MLB Playoff Betting: Best Wild Card Round Predictions for Wednesday, Sept. 30
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
