The Yankees announced that right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Ian Hamilton have both been reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to today’s game with the Cubs, and Schmidt will take the ball as the game’s starting pitcher. To create roster space, New York has designated right-hander Phil Bickford and Nick Burdi for assignment.
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 then 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 today and Luis Gil throwing six shutout innings in his own return from the IL yesterday, the Yankees’ rotation is getting healthier for the stretch run. The club’s plan is to move to a six-man rotation in order 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 today 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. Obviously further injuries or under-performance from another starter might alter this plan for September and into the playoffs, but simply 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 of his own. 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 potentially get some 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 get consideration 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 have the ability to 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 just re-sign with the Yankees on a new minor league contract, similar to how Bickford previously rejoined the club after his earlier DFA.
Doron
Regardless of the outcome of this season, the Yankees are clearing 11 40 man roster spots including Soto this offseason.
Things are going to be VERY interesting this Winter in NY.
Doron
Starting Pitching is basically 6 deep, not including prospects.
Cole, Rodon, Gil, Stroman, Schmidt, Cortez.
Cortez is likely the odd man out, in his walk year next season, he could be a long man out of the pen, 3 IP’s, 1 turn through the lineup, or he could be a trade chip in a bigger trade.
The Bullpen is going to be undergoing a MAJOR revamp.
Holmes, Kahnle, Loaisiga are UFA’s, Kahnle is the only one that maybe gets resigned of these 3.
Weaver has a $2.5 million option that likely gets picked up.
Trivino is likely gone unless he lights it up this month with a $5 million team option for next season.
Torres, Rizzo, and Verdugo are gone 100%.
There are additional decisions to be made on Arbitration and pre-arb players that may be dfa’ed or traded as well.
I LOVE the off season.
Anthony maresca
Grisham and Berti are non tendered candidates as nobody paying Grisham $6-7 million in arbitration and Berti $4.5 million for a 35 yr old bench player. DJ going to be released as well and I predict both Stroman and Trevino are trade bait as Naveraz going to backup Wells in 2025. Brubaker and Poteet will be extra arms to cover injuries
Doron
Yeah, they are among the decisions to be made on pre-arb and arbitration eligible players.
Poteet is going no where, Brubaker as well.
Trevino might be traded, Wells has done a great job since taking over as the Starter, and the Yankees are deep in the farm with C prospects.
I doubt DJ gets released, his versatility is still valuable, and he might have 1 more season left in the tank.
Sterlingadingadong
Dj has nothing in the tank. He can field that’s it.
deweybelongsinthehall
More likely, DJ gets released in spring training if he shows nothing. That said, while his best in NY coincided with the juiced ball and 60 game schedule (amazing), the re-inking deal was like Pedroia’s with Boston, an extra season or two in exchange for a lesser AAV. This as you posted Sterling, the team could just eat the remaining money and move on.
Very Barry
How you gonna revamp the entire bullpen and deal with luxury cap issues signing Juan Soto???
Doron
From what I read, the Yankees will be shedding about 100 million in cap space once the season is officially over.
Soto, a Closer, 2 strong setup RP’s, and solving 3B are the targets this offseason.
YanksPhan42
You realize when you let a bunch of people go, that creates additional space to spend.
Doron
I need to add that this number doesn’t include Arbitration raises.
larkraxm
They are clearing ten spots so that they can afford to keep Soto. I am not sure Soto will be anxious to leave a lineup where he hits after Judge. I do think that guys like Peraza and Dominguez will be taking spots currently filled by Torres and Verdugo.
mlb1225
I thought Burdi was going to be the Pirates’ next great closer. He has great stuff, just can’t stay healthy.
Very Barry
We burned a 1st round pick on his brother, Zach Burdi, with the White Sox. We thought we had our next great closer. Never stayed healthy.
Edp007
Bye bye Burdi
mlb fan
Bye bye love, bye bye happiness…