Yankees reinstate Clarke Schmidt for planned postseason bullpen role
The right-hander returns after 14 months recovering from elbow surgery, while Oswaldo Cabrera is designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot.
The New York Yankees have reinstated right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt from the injured list after his rehabilitation assignment, with the club planning to transition him from the rotation to bullpen work ahead of the postseason.
Schmidt, 30, underwent an internal-brace procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament on 11 July 2025 and began a minor-league rehabilitation assignment on 29 August. His reinstatement marks his return to the Yankees’ roster after a reported 14-month recovery.
A first-round draft pick in 2017, Schmidt had been used exclusively as a starter since 2023. The Yankees’ current rotation includes Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole, creating the basis for the club’s plan to use Schmidt in relief.
The Yankees designated multi-position player Oswaldo Cabrera for assignment to make room for Schmidt on the 40-man roster. Cabrera missed much of the 2025 season with a severe ankle injury, but his next roster status has not been determined.
The move reflects the Yankees’ stated intention to integrate Schmidt into their postseason plans, although the club has not specified when he will appear in a major-league game or what workload he will carry. The account was reported by The Associated Press and published by Fox Sports.
