The Yankees have recalled right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt to start tonight’s game against the Mets, according to a team announcement. Swapping places with him is infielder Andrew Velazquez, who has been optioned to Triple-A.
Schmidt is, at least temporarily, taking the rotation spot of Gerrit Cole, who left his start on Tuesday after 70 pitches over 3 2/3 innings because of tightness in his left hamstring, per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. However, Cole himself said he’s good to go for this coming Tuesday, per Adler. That’s surely good news for the Yankees, who are suddenly out of playoff position. With the Blue Jays winning this afternoon, the Yanks are going into tonight’s contest a half game behind the Jays, as well as the Red Sox, in the Wild Card race. A healthy Cole is potentially a huge difference-maker in a race that tight. Overall, it’s yet another excellent season for the Yankees’ ace, as he has an ERA of 2.78 over 158 2/3 innings so far this year. He’s provided 5.2 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs, better than every pitcher in the AL, and trailing just Corbin Burnes and Zack Wheeler overall.
For Schmidt, this will be his first major league action of the season. He began the year on the injured list and only started a rehab assignment towards the end of July. Since then, he’s logged 27 1/3 innings across four different levels of the minors, with an ERA of 2.96, a strikeout rate of 29.3% and walk rate of 6.9%. His only MLB experience thus far was a small sample of 6 1/3 innings in 2020, where he had an ERA of 7.11.
Velazquez was originally selected by the Yankees August 9th, when the club was dealing with a vast COVID-19 outbreak that saw multiple players test positive and miss time. The infielder became something of a fan favourite in that time, at least partially because of his Bronx roots. However, he didn’t provide enough offense to hold onto a roster spot, hitting .234/.246/.375 with a tiny walk rate of 1.5% and hefty strikeout rate of 32.3%. However, this is over a small sample of just 65 plate appearances. He’s fared much better in 277 Triple-A plate appearances this year, slashing .283/.367/.471.
Velasquez was awful yet a cult hero for some reason.
Born and bread Bronx douchebag that’s why
Hey, now.
I grew up in the Bronx. & I’m not a…well, ya got me there, @matsuimodel. But. My mother grew up in the Bronx too, & you will be hard pressed to find a sweeter person anywhere.
Another dumb comment by a non Yankee fan.
Many moons ago on this site I believe I was suspended for calling another poster a “douchebag”
The word is BRED not bread, douchebag
I humbly accept my punishment MLBTR
He was awful? Wtf we’re you watching. He played great defense and could run. Yes his bat isn’t the strongest but he helped the Yanks win a number of games. Fans like you who only stare at numbers like geeks destroy the game.
He’s like another Tyler Wade and I’m glad he was around with Torres out.
At least defensive he was better than Torres
So is Pujols
What does this mean for Luis Gil?
Not sure if he is still on the 25 man, but they probably want Gil to cut down on his walks before they give him another shot.
Probably not much, @gibson.
Yanks were transitioning Gil to the bullpen. We got caught shorthanded & tried to get one more start out of him. He looked worn down. But it was a pretty good debut.
He will be part of next season’s rotation plans.
Be interesting to see how Schmidt looks.
Tough spot. We need a good start from this kid.
I would think he’ll replace Taillon.
Gil will go on regular rest on Monday vs Twins.
At least Velasquez hit better than his career avg which is way below the Mendoza line and gave the Yanks another guy who can steal besides the good D.
I’ve been loving the Go Go Yankees, @Grubs.
I’m generally of the school of thought that bunting is usually a waste of an out. But I do love some pilfering on the paths. The more the better.
I saw the “ez” at the end and was thinking it was Sanchez who was optioned.
Not yet I guess.
Beautiful Clark.
Staked him to a little lead.
That’s always good for a kid. Let’s see what he’s got.
Jints lost.
I definitely don’t want the Yanks to lose too. That wouldn’t make for a good Sunday. At all.
With a W the Yanks will be in a 3 way tie with BOS and TOR. Go Yankees!
One of these games should of been played in the Bronx. Why do the Mets get home field for this weekend?
They already played 3 at Yankee stadium, July 3 and 4th was a doubleheader since 1st game 2nd was rained out.
Damnit.
I hate baseball. I hate sports, @Gruber. & continuing the list, I think I hate lolmets, too.
What a crappy Sunday of sports.
@duckman, Welcome to the club! I’ve hated the Mets since Tom Seaver days.
The Yankees are spent. Gassed out. What an enigmatic team!?! That rotation looked weak coming into the season though. Banking too much on Kubler and Taillon to be complete studs. Never was sold on Hicks and Sanchez. Whatever happened to Andujar? Enigmatic team.
I’ll never get the Hicks signing. They’re basically paying that dude to occupy their IL year after year. That contract for a guy that never did a thing in MLB was utterly idiotic.
With Hicks it’s purely FOMO if he ever stays healthy.
He’s the new Greg Bird.
And now Stanton’s out with a bruised ego.