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TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the majors when he’s been healthy the last two seasons.
His ERA over 30 starts is 3.07, and he has struck out 166 batters in 164 innings.
Unfortunately, the right-hander’s 2024 breakout stalled when he was shut down for two months with a lat strain. The next year, an impressive first half of 2025 turned into a sudden end with a forearm strain shutdown that led to a second Tommy John surgery.
Seven months post-surgery, Schmidt is progressing well. He was playing catch at 75 feet when spring training began this week, and he’s scheduled to add distance next week.
Schmidt, who turns 30 on Feb. 20, is hoping to get back on the mound near the tail end of spring training and work his way back to the big leagues in the second half of the season.
“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.”
Schmidt is featured today in NJ.com’s daily spring training “favorites” questionnaire:
Teenage celebrity crush: Danielle Fishel, who played Topanga Matthews on “Boy Meets World” and “Girl Meets World.”
Childhood sports hero: Chipper Jones.
Favorite movie: Interstellar.
Favorite actor: Denzel Washington.
Favorite actress: Margot Robbie.
Favorite musical artist: Drake.
Favorite musical group: Pearl Jam.
Best little league memory: Playing in a youth tournament in Cooperstown.
Favorite zoo animal: Lion, but it doesn’t belong in a zoo.
Favorite non-MLB teams: Atlanta Falcons and Chelsea F.C.
Best sports besides baseball: Football. I was a quarterback and linebacker.
Favorite road cities: Toronto and Seattle.
Favorite ballpark: T-Mobile Park (Seattle).
Toughest hitter to face: Rafael Devers.
One rule change I’d make if I were commissioner: Mandatory Mondays off.
Favorite cartoon: Tom and Jerry.
Favorite toy as child: Baseball.
Favorite childhood family vacation: Hawaii.
Dream vacation: Japan.
Favorite subject in school: Physical education.
Favorite video game: Halo 3.
Favorite meal: Steak and potatoes.
Favorite fast-food restaurant:
Favorite candy: Dark chocolate.
Favorite snack: Potato chips.
Favorite soft drink: I don’t drink any now, but when I was younger, I drank a lot of Dr. Pepper.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and cream.
Food won’t eat: I eat almost everything. I’ll say internal organs of an animal, like liver.
Favorite TV station: ESPN.
Hobbies: Golf.
3 living or dead people you’d invite to dinner: Will Ferrell, Denzel Washington and Carl Jung.
***
YANKEES’ FAVORITES SERIES
-- Feb. 12: Aaron Boone
-- Feb. 13: Jazz Chisholm
--Feb. 14: Tim Hill
-- Feb. 15: Amed Rosario
-- Feb. 16: Clarke Schmidt
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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