The New York Yankees added some crucial reinforcements to the pitching staff ahead of Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.
Just a day after star rookie Luis Gil made his return from the injured list in a dominant fashion, the Yankees activated starter Clark Schmidt and reliever Ian Hamilton from the 60-day injured list.
Schmidt will get the start against the Cubs on Saturday afternoon as the Yankees look to go for the series win.
Schmidt's return has been long-awaited and much-needed. In the middle of a breakout campaign, Schmidt has been out since the end of May with a lat strain.
In 11 starts across 60.2 innings pitched, Schmidt had a 5-3 record with a 2.52 ERA, 67 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 1.14 WHIP.
He may have been pitching a bit above expectation, but it was encouraging to see that he can go on that type of run for the Yankees. They could certainly use that type of consistent production during the final month of the season.
At the time of his injury, the Yankees starting rotation was in the middle of a ridiculous run. Since then, the unit has been a major liability.
Up until June 1, the Yankees starters had a 2.71 ERA — the second-best in MLB. Since then, the unit's 4.84 ERA is the fifth-worst in MLB and second worst in the American League.
Hamilton has also been out with a lat strain of his own since the middle of June. Coming off a breakout campaign in 2023, Hamilton was struggling to produce the same type of consistency this season.
In 29.2 innings pitched across 27 games, Hamilton had a 4.55 ERA with 30 strikeouts, 14 walks and a 1.584 WHIP before his injury.
In corresponding moves, the Yankees designated right-handed pitchers Phil Bickford and Nick Burdi for assignment.
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