The Yankees announced that right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Ian Hamilton have both been reinstated from the 60-day injured list before Saturday’s game with the Cubs, and Schmidt will take the ball as the game’s starting pitcher. New York has designated right-handers Phil Bickford and Nick Burdi for assignment to create roster space.
Schmidt was off to a tremendous start in 2024, as the former first-rounder and top-100 prospect had a 2.52 ERA over his first 60 2/3 innings of the season. Unfortunately, that initial success was cut short by a lat strain, and Schmidt hasn’t pitched in the majors since the end of May. His work during a minor league rehab assignment (3.18 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings) hints that Schmidt has continued to stay in good form, but naturally, the real test will come now that Schmidt is once again facing big league hitters.
With Schmidt returning Saturday and Luis Gil throwing six shutout innings in his own return from the IL Friday, the Yankees’ rotation is getting healthier for the stretch run. The club’s plan is to move to a six-man rotation to both ease Schmidt and Gil back into action and to give Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, and Nestor Cortes some extra rest.
In Cortes’ case, he will likely work behind Schmidt Saturday in a piggyback capacity, and the next week or so could act as an unofficial competition between Cortes, Schmidt, and possibly Gil to see who retains a starting job once the Yankees return to a standard five-man pitching staff. Further injuries or under-performance from another starter might alter this plan for September and into the playoffs, but having more healthy arms available for now gives the Bronx Bombers some flexibility in figuring things out.
Hamilton’s recovery also impacts the bullpen picture, as the right-hander has been out since mid-June with a lat strain. Hamilton posted a 2.64 ERA over 58 innings in 2023 to seemingly cement himself as an important piece of the relief corps, but he ran into a few more stumbles with a 4.55 ERA across 29 2/3 frames this season. It is worth noting that Hamilton allowed eight earned runs over his first 25 2/3 innings this year and then seven ER in his last four innings and four appearances before his IL placement, so it is fair to wonder if Hamilton was hampered by trying to pitch through injury.
Since Clay Holmes’ hold on the closer’s job is no longer stable, Hamilton could get high-leverage work if he returns in good form. While Hamilton only has two career saves, and it might be asking a lot for a pitcher to become a closer after such a long injury layoff, the Yankees figure to explore all options if Holmes can’t stabilize his performance. Manager Aaron Boone also hinted that even Schmidt or Gil might be considered as a late-inning reliever.
Burdi has also been through an injury-marred season, as recurring hip problems led to stints on both the 15-day and 60-day injured lists, limiting him to 9 2/3 MLB innings and 13 1/3 innings at Triple-A. In essence, it has been more of the same for a hard-throwing pitcher whose career has been defined by a lot of strikeouts, inconsistent control, and, unfortunately, a lot of injuries — Burdi’s health record includes two Tommy John surgeries and a thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.
For Bickford, this is the second time New York has DFA’ed the veteran righty in the last three months, and he elected free agency after clearing waivers. Bickford then re-signed with the Yankees on a new major league contract and rejoined the active roster a couple of weeks ago. One disastrous outing against the Blue Jays (five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning) on June 29 accounted for much of the 8.64 ERA Bickford has posted across 8 1/3 innings in the majors this year, and he has looked much sharper in the minors with a 3.00 ERA in 45 frames for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
If Burdi and Bickford each clear waivers, they can reject an outright assignment to Triple-A in favor of free agency, as both pitchers have previously been outrighted in their careers. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either re-sign with the Yankees on a new minor league contract, similar to how Bickford rejoined the club after his earlier DFA.