Clarke Schmidt Eyes Summer Return After Second Tommy John Surgery: “I Want to Make an Impact at the Best Time”
TAMPA, Fla. - Clarke Schmidt’s path in pinstripes has been anything but linear, but when he’s been healthy, he’s shown flashes of being a rock in the Yankees’ rotation. Over his last 30 starts, Schmidt has quietly posted a 3.07 ERA and punched out 166 hitters in 164 innings - a level of consistency that’s hard to come by in today’s game.
But injuries have kept him from fully turning that corner. A lat strain derailed his breakout campaign in 2024, sidelining him for two critical months. Then, just as he was finding rhythm again in 2025, a forearm strain shut him down - this time requiring a second Tommy John surgery.
Now, seven months post-op, Schmidt is back on the grind. When spring training opened this week in Tampa, the 29-year-old was already playing catch from 75 feet. Next week, he’s set to stretch it out even further - another step forward in what the Yankees hope is a steady climb back to full strength.
The goal? A return to the mound sometime this summer, with the bigger picture always in focus.
“Hopefully sometime this summer,” Schmidt said. “But we want to make sure we put this all behind us, so I’m 100% for the playoffs. I want to make an impact at the best time.”
That’s a sentiment the Yankees would love to see come to life. A healthy Schmidt in the second half could be a major boost for a club with October ambitions. His ability to eat innings, miss bats, and keep runs off the board is exactly what you want in a postseason-caliber arm.
Away from the rehab room and bullpen sessions, Schmidt also took part in a lighthearted spring training tradition - the team’s daily “favorites” questionnaire. It’s a fun look into the personalities behind the pinstripes, and Schmidt’s answers offered a glimpse of the man behind the mound.
Here’s what we learned about the Yankees’ right-hander:
- Teenage celebrity crush: Danielle Fishel, aka Topanga from Boy Meets World. A classic choice for ‘90s kids.
- Childhood sports hero: Chipper Jones. Growing up in the South, that tracks - Jones was a switch-hitting icon.
- Favorite movie: Interstellar. A thinker’s sci-fi epic.
- Favorite actor/actress: Denzel Washington and Margot Robbie - elite company.
- Favorite musical picks: Drake for solo artist, Pearl Jam for group.
A blend of modern and grunge-era vibes.
- Best Little League memory: Playing in a youth tournament in Cooperstown - every young ballplayer’s dream.
- Favorite zoo animal: The lion - though Schmidt adds it “doesn’t belong in a zoo.” Respect.
- Favorite non-MLB teams: Atlanta Falcons (football roots run deep) and Chelsea F.C.
- Best sport besides baseball: Football.
He played quarterback and linebacker growing up - not surprising given his competitive edge on the mound.
- Favorite road cities: Toronto and Seattle.
- Favorite ballpark: T-Mobile Park in Seattle. That’s a popular pick among players for its atmosphere and backdrop.
- Toughest hitter faced: Rafael Devers. No shock there - Devers has been a thorn in many pitchers’ sides.
- One rule change as commissioner: Mandatory Mondays off. Who wouldn’t sign up for that?
- Favorite cartoon: Tom and Jerry. Timeless.
- Favorite childhood toy: A baseball. Naturally.
- Favorite family vacation growing up: Hawaii.
- Dream vacation: Japan - a baseball-rich culture and a beautiful destination.
- Favorite school subject: Physical education.
- Favorite video game: Halo 3.
A staple for his generation.
- Favorite meal: Steak and potatoes.
A classic.
- Favorite fast food: (Left blank - but we’ll assume he’s got his go-to.)
- Favorite candy: Dark chocolate.
- Favorite snack: Potato chips.
- Favorite soft drink: Doesn’t drink them now, but used to be big on Dr. Pepper.
- Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and cream.
- Food he won’t eat: Internal organs like liver.
Fair enough.
- Favorite TV station: ESPN.
- Hobbies: Golf - a common off-day escape for ballplayers.
- Three dinner guests (living or dead): Will Ferrell, Denzel Washington, Carl Jung.
That’s a fascinating table - comedy, cinema, and psychology all in one meal.
As Schmidt works his way back, the Yankees will be watching closely - and hoping his return lines up with the stretch run. If he can stay healthy and regain the form he flashed pre-injury, he could be a difference-maker come October.
And if there’s one thing Schmidt’s journey has shown, it’s that he’s not afraid of the long road - as long as it leads back to the mound, and maybe, to a playoff spotlight.