Yankees' Clarke Schmidt says he's fixed pitch-tipping problem that plagued him vs. Mariners
Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) reacts during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Credit: Brad Penner
Picking up on tipped pitches is part of the game, but it doesn’t mean the Yankees have to make it easy.
A day after Clarke Schmidt said that the Mariners’ Dylan Moore was probably tipped off on the pitch he hit for a two-run homer in the Yankees' 6-3 loss Tuesday, Aaron Boone echoed his pitcher’s sentiments – it happens, and it’s up to individual teams to stay on it.
“This thing seems to come up a handful of times every year,” Boone said. “This is something that goes on in baseball and all I can tell you is that it’s something we’re constantly vigilant on, whether you’re trying to gain an edge, you’re trying to keep your house clean – we’re all over this kind of stuff and nothing will change on that front.”
The pitch in question was a full-count cutter at the outside edge of the strike zone – “a quality pitch,” Schmidt said Tuesday night.
“I was able to make adjustments after I saw the video,” said Schmidt, who gave up two singles for the remainder of the game. “Everybody has things that they do pitching, that you might pattern in certain ways with the way you come set or whatever it may be…For me, it’s something we’ve been aware of this year throughout outings and we’ve made adjustments and we’ll continue to make adjustments.”
Kahnle back
Reliever Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list; Clayton Andrews was optioned back to Triple-A Tuesday night to make room on the roster.
“He’s an impact reliever and I wouldn’t hesitate to use him in [a high-leverage] situation,” Boone said. “You’d love to give him the right kind of landing spot, but I wouldn’t hesitate to put him in there with the game on the line.”
Others on the mend
DJ LeMahieu (foot) recovered well from his rehab game Tuesday, and will play another with High-A Hudson Valley Thursday before joining Triple-A Scranton this weekend. He’s on track to be activated next week…Gerrit Cole (elbow) is scheduled to throw another live batting practice this weekend…Ian Hamilton (COVID) will likely be available this weekend…Scott Effross (Tommy John) is progressing from throwing bullpens and will soon face live hitters…JT Brubaker, the starter acquired from the Pirates a month ago, is in play for a midseason return after getting Tommy John surgery, Boone said.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
