Yankees' Clarke Schmidt Ready to Step up After Carlos Rodon Injury

The Yankees went from having a fifth starter competition in camp to now having both of these pitchers likely begin the regular season in their rotation.

This duo, of course, Clarke Schmidt and Domingo German, will now have to step up to help fill the void left by Carlos Rodon's (forearm strain) absence.

While losing Rodon for the start of the regular season is a significant blow, Schmidt is confident in himself and the Yankee organization's pitching depth overall.

“I can attest to the pitching development in this organization and say it’s one of the best, it’s the real deal. We have a lot of depth and guys that can step up and have the ability to throw strikes and get outs,” Schmidt told reporters.

"We have so many guys with great stuff in this organization. It’ll be exciting to have some young guys step up and I’m sure everybody is very well capable of doing that.”

Schmidt has had a bit of a shaky beginning to Grapefruit League play, posting a 8.10 ERA in three appearances (two starts). He has, however, struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings, and is working on a new cutter in his arsenal.

“I’m really excited about it,” Schmidt said. “Continuing to learn it is the big thing. For lefties, I’m learning that it definitely plays, and especially to righties too. I’m getting swing-and-misses on it. I get in on guys a lot more and I think it’s gonna open up my sinker and other pitches for me.”

Last season, Schmidt posted a 3.12 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 57.2 innings in 29 appearances, in which he made three starts.

The 27-year-old will now be asked to take on a larger role in the Yankees' rotation to start the season, which the righty believes he is ready for.

“I’m always trying to be aggressive and on the attack. I’ve always wanted to be a consistent starter in the big leagues and I always felt like that would come. For me, it’s just continuing to stay within myself, go out there and throw strikes.”

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