Clarke Schmidt is officially back with the New York Yankees after spending more than 14 months recovering from Tommy John surgery.
ORANGE GAME WEEK: Syracuse football returns home to host Louisville Saturday night (preview) The Yankees activated Schmidt from the injured list Wednesday before their game against the Minnesota Twins, completing the right-hander’s lengthy recovery from surgery on his right elbow. New York designated Oswaldo Cabrera for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Schmidt, 30, last pitched in a Major League game in early July 2025 before the elbow injury ended his season. He finished that year with a 4-4 record and a 3.32 earned-run average across 14 starts.
The right-hander has spent his entire six-year big-league career with New York, compiling a 23-24 record and a 3.82 earned-run average. His return gives the Yankees another experienced arm as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated Schmidt has progressed well during his final stages of rehab and could provide a meaningful contribution out of the bullpen.
Cabrera’s departure comes after a difficult stretch that included a broken ankle suffered in May 2025 while attempting to avoid a tag at home plate against Seattle. The injury ended his season, and he appeared in only three games for New York this year while spending most of the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Cabrera, 27, spent significant portions of the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Yankees and provided versatility across the field.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
