Clarke Schmidt’s long road back reached the Yankee bullpen in Minneapolis on Wednesday, when the right-hander made his first Major League appearance in 14 1/2 months after Tommy John surgery.
New York activated Schmidt from the injured list before its game against the Twins, then handed him the ball in the seventh inning. The 30-year-old struck out two hitters and surrendered two bloop singles, getting through his first big league work of the 2026 season.
For Schmidt, the outing marked the end of a rehabilitation stretch filled with early work, long days and the uneasy experience of watching the game from outside the lines.
“It’s been a long journey,” Schmidt said. “There has been a lot of work and a lot of early mornings. I’m a baseball fan, so it was difficult watching games. I’ve been eager to get back.”
Schmidt begins in relief
The Yankees will use Schmidt out of the bullpen initially while he rebuilds his workload. He said the club’s immediate plan is likely to feature shorter appearances, perhaps over multiple outings, before determining how quickly he can recover and return to the mound.
His pitch count will be managed carefully, and he will not work on back-to-back days for now. Manager Aaron Boone said that does not automatically mean Schmidt will be restricted to single-inning appearances.
“He has thrown the ball well and had a very good month,” Boone said. “He’s ready to come in and hopefully be part of what we’re trying to do.”
Schmidt owns a 23-24 career record and a 3.82 ERA across portions of six seasons with New York. Before the right-elbow injury ended his 2025 season in early July, he had gone 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA over 14 starts.
Cabrera loses roster spot
Oswaldo Cabrera was designated for assignment to clear room for Schmidt’s return, ending another difficult chapter for the 27-year-old infielder.
Cabrera had become a popular teammate and fan favorite during his extended stays with the Yankees in 2023 and 2024. In May 2025, he broke his ankle while trying to avoid a tag at home plate in Seattle, an injury that cost him the remainder of that season.
He appeared in only three games with New York this year and spent most of the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where Boone said Cabrera had played well.
Boone spoke warmly of Cabrera’s standing in the clubhouse, calling him one of the players he most admires.
“Oswaldo is near the top of that list,” Boone said. “It’s the way he handles himself, the way he treats people and the kind of teammate he is.”
Boone said he remains confident Cabrera can build a strong Major League career and expressed hope that it may still continue with the Yankees.
SEO Title: Clarke Schmidt Returns From Tommy John Surgery as Yankees Activate Right-Hander
SEO Description: Clarke Schmidt made his first Major League appearance in 14 1/2 months for the Yankees in Minneapolis, while Oswaldo Cabrera was designated for assignment.
