Yankees' Pitching Puzzle: Schmidt's Injury and the Road Ahead

The New York Yankees are facing a tough situation with Clarke Schmidt's likely Tommy John surgery. This means he'll be out for the rest of this season and probably most of the next one. The team is now scrambling to figure out how to fill this big gap in their starting rotation. Schmidt has been a key player for the Yankees, especially recently. He had a great run, with a 2. 18 ERA in his last seven starts. His absence is a major blow, especially since ace Gerrit Cole is already out for the year after having the same surgery earlier. The Yankees have a few options to consider. They could promote a prospect like Cam Schlittler, who has been impressive in the minors. Schlittler has a 4. 18 ERA in five starts at Triple-A, but he strikes out a lot of batters. Another option is to trade for a starting pitcher, but that might be tricky. The trade deadline is coming up, and good pitchers don't come cheap. There are some interesting names out there, like Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins. He's had a rough season, but he still has the stuff to be a top starter. However, trading for him would likely cost the Yankees some of their top prospects, which might not be worth it. The Yankees also have some injury concerns with other pitchers. Luis Gil is expected back after the All-Star break, which should help. But with Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman all having lengthy injury histories, the team can't afford to take any chances. In the end, the Yankees might decide to stick with what they have and hope for the best. They could promote Schlittler or another prospect, or they could make a trade for a mid-tier starter. Whatever they decide, it's clear that this is a crucial time for the team. They need to make the right moves to stay competitive.