Clarke Schmidt needs second opinion on elbow; Aaron Boone says Voit, Severino, Britton progressing
TAMPA — After being “close” to getting back to his throwing program for the last month, Yankees top pitching prospect Clarke Schmidt will have a second opinion. Schmidt strained the common extensor tendon in his right elbow during his very first bullpen of spring training.
Aaron Boone said that while he is concerned by how long it’s taken Schmidt to get back to throwing, he is optimistic.
“I still don’t think so... because it’s on the interior side,” Boone said of Schmidt having surgery.
“But it’s at least concerning enough that we expected him back in starting a throwing program several weeks ago. So let’s see what the second opinion says and see where we’re at in the next several days.”
VOIT BACK TO DOC
Luke Voit, who had surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee, will see the doctor on Monday to gauge his rehab progress.
“He’s doing really well. It’s all I can tell you. He’s not scheduled to start baseball activities for at least another week though,” Boone said. " I think it’s gone as expected and well to this point a couple of weeks in.”
SEVERINO WORKING
Luis Severino, who is rehabbing from March 2020 Tommy John surgery, is continuing his throwing program with bullpen sessions, Boone said.
“He’s been throwing a fastball, slider, I know, in his bullpens now,” Boone said.
Severino is expected back in June or July.
BRITTON BUILDING UP
Zack Britton, who had surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow, began his throwing program before the Yankees left New York last week. Boone said they will not rush the lefty setup man back.
“With him being on the 60-day, we can be a little bit conservative with how we build him up, because I think that will put him hopefully in play at the end of May,” Boone said. “We can build him and kind of have spring training so he gets the necessary outings he needs. He’s off to a good start so far.”
ANDUJAR SLOWLY RECOVERING
Miguel Andujar, who was shut down in spring training with right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, is slowly ramping back up.
“Miguel has been hitting off the tee and doing well,” Boone said. “If things continue to progress, probably another week or so, where he’s (doing) cage (batting practice). He has been hitting off the tee and soft toss though. So he’s starting to come out of the woods a little bit.”
Andujar was expected to start the season at the alternate site.
GERMAN VICTIM OF SHORT STARTS
Domingo German was optioned after taking the loss in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Rays. While the right-hander gave up two home runs, Boone said they believe he is close to finding his footing this season. He just became a a victim of the back-to-back short outing by the starters and the Yankees needing to refresh the bullpen.
“There’s always circumstances, change and things evolve every day but I would expect him to, when his time’s up, that 10 days, probably be inserted back into the middle of the rotation,” Boone said.
“Truly nothing has changed about where I view Domingo right now. I think he’s thrown the ball well. I think he’s gonna have a really strong season for us,” Boone said. “This was more born out of just having a need in the bullpen, and being a little bit up against it after using some guys and some pretty heavy workloads the last couple days.”
