Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman is expected to be active at the trade deadline in a few days, but he also understands that the team is eyeing major reinforcements during the second half of the season.
Reinforcements on the Horizon for the Yankees
At some point, the Bombers will receive an influx of talent back in the starting rotation and bullpen. First and foremost, the Yankees expect to get Clarke Schmidt back within the next two months, likely in August, as he continues to ramp up his rehab process.
Schmidt tossed 20 pitches off a mound on Saturday, which is a great step in the right direction. The 28-year-old posted a 2.52 ERA over 60.2 innings before suffering an injury. He was striking out 9.94 batters per nine, including an 84.1% left-on-base rate and a 39% ground ball rate.
It was unfortunate timing for the second-year starter, who was in the middle of a career season and making a positive impact. Fortunately, the Yankees project that Schmidt will be ready to go when the postseason rolls around if they need him to step up into a starting spot. Otherwise, he can significantly support the bullpen since he can toss multiple innings on back-to-back days.
Additional Pitching Comebacks
The Yankees also expect Cody Poteet to return at some point. His throwing program started earlier this month, and he is likely progressing toward throwing off the mound. His triceps injury is certainly a bit concerning, but his 2.14 ERA over 21 innings gives him plenty of value when he returns.
Poteet can help both in the rotation and as a bullpen support piece. He’s not necessarily known for his strikeouts, but he produces a solid ground ball rate at 44.3% and doesn’t give up many homers. He has a wide array of pitches in his mix, leaning on his four-seam fastball, sinker, and changeup primarily. However, he does mix in a sweeper and curveball. He doesn’t blow batters away with velocity, but he has solid accuracy and good movement on his pitches to generate deviations.
More Pitchers on the Recovery Track
In addition to the two starters, the Yankees are also hoping for the return of Ian Hamilton and Scott Effross. Hamilton started his throwing program about 11 days ago, making good progress and fighting his way back from a lat injury as well. The 29-year-old was struggling this season with a 4.55 ERA, but those numbers could have been impacted by discomfort. The hope is that Hamilton returns and can make an immediate impact on the Yankees.
Effross was recently activated off the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A, where he will continue building himself back up after a long spell away due to Tommy John surgery and a back injury.
Effross posted a 2.54 ERA back in 2022 between the Chicago Cubs and Yankees, totaling 56.2 innings. In the minors this year, he’s tossed 9.1 innings with Triple-A, posting a 3.86 ERA and a 50% ground ball rate. Effross is starting to trend in the right direction, having gone four straight games without giving up a run.
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Addressing the Infield
While Cashman may add a few pieces to the equation at the deadline, the Yankees have plenty of their own talent working their way back. At this point, the offense is the primary concern, specifically the infield, where they could use a talented third baseman to replace DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera.