Yankees reveal potential return date for breakout starting pitcher

The New York Yankees could be getting some reinforcements to the pitching staff soon as Clarke Schmidt continues recovering from an injury.

Schmidt was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 31 after it was discovered he was dealing with a right lat strain. He was then transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 18.

General manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network radio on Sunday that Schmidt will start a rehab assignment around Aug. 22.

Cashman also stated the second week of September as a possible return, but Schmidt himself has said he hopes to be back before the end of August.

“I would say [a return] by the end of the month I think is very realistic,” Schmidt said via The New York Post .

Schmidt was in the middle of a breakout season before the injury put him on the shelf for a number of months.

In 11 starts across 60.2 innings pitched, Schmidt had a 5-3 record with a 2.52 ERA. He may have been pitching a bit above expectation, but it was encouraging to see that he can go on that type of run for the Yankees.

At the time of his injury, the Yankees starting rotation was in the middle of a ridiculous run. Since then, the unit has been a major liability.

Up until June 1, the Yankees starters had a 2.71 ERA — the second-best in MLB. Since then, the unit's 5.32 ERA is the third-worst in MLB and the worst in the American League.

A decision will have to be made when Schmidt returns. One of Schmidt, Luis Gil or Nestor Cortes will have to move to the bullpen.

It might behoove the Yankees to move Cortes to the bullpen considering he's been the biggest liability in the rotation throughout the entire season consistently. Having a left-handed arm like his in relief situations would be nice.

Either way, it seems Schmidt is working his way back into the mix, and the Yankees could use an infusion into the starting rotation.

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