New York Yankees’ ace suffers season-ending injury

On Thursday, the Yankees placed right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day disabled list due to a right lat strain. However, he will be absent far longer than the required two weeks.

Before the Yankees’ series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Schmidt will not be able to pitch for another 4-6 weeks. Schmidt underwent an MRI on Wednesday and visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday, and they concluded “it’s going to be a while” before Schmidt returns to the mound. Obviously, if Clarke isn’t throwing for 4-6 weeks, it will be much longer before he returns to the ball club.

This is a major blow to the Yankees and their strong rotation. The Yankees are making MLB history with 16 consecutive starts of five or more innings and two or fewer runs allowed. This run began on May 12 and has lasted until Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over the Angels.

Schmidt has produced three strong starts in the previous several weeks, contributing to a career season for the 28-year-old from Acworth, Georgia.

The former first-round pick in 2017 has made 11 starts this season and has a 2.52 ERA, which is in the top ten among the American League’s qualifying pitchers.

However, he will miss a significant portion of the season and will be temporarily replaced by right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet, according to Boone.

There may be a new replacement on the horizon, though…