Clarke Schmidt 'a little shocked' by demotion to Triple-A
Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees pitches during the fourth inning against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on April 10. Credit: Jim McIsaac
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clarke Schmidt said he was “a little shocked” upon hearing the news from manager Aaron Boone that he was being demoted, but the righthander understands the Yankees’ decision.
Schmidt and Miguel Andujar were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Sunday’s 6-4 victory over the Royals. Rosters must be trimmed from 28 to 26 by noon on Monday, and Andujar and Schmidt — who posted a 1.08 ERA in four appearances and picked up the win Sunday after throwing a scoreless sixth inning — were the casualties.
The fact that Schmidt has options remaining was a significant reason for the demotion. “I get the semantics of it and all the details, but nothing makes it easier,” the good-natured Schmidt said. “I’ll look at it positively in probably a few hours or tomorrow morning, but for now, you think about it for a little bit. I’ll be good in the long run, it’s all part of the game. Guys get sent down all the time.”
Schmidt, the club’s first-round pick (taken 16th overall) in the 2017 draft, who has battled his share of injuries over the years, did not see the move coming.
“It’s a real tough pill to swallow. There’s no easy way to put it,” said Schmidt, who likely will be stretched out to start while in Scranton. “I’ve been throwing well, I’ve been feeling well, comfortable, doing my job, getting guys out. It’s part of the game. It’s a business also. Hopefully they get me back up here soon.”
Gallo day to day
Joey Gallo said Saturday he wasn’t “concerned at all” with the tightness in his left groin that forced him out of that night’s game, but Boone wasn’t taking any chances.
“I kind of decided last night I wasn’t going to mess with it today,” Boone said before Sunday’s victory. “I decided last night regardless of how he came in this morning wouldn’t factor into him being in the lineup.”
As far as the series in Toronto that begins on Monday night is concerned, Boone characterized Gallo as “day-to-day.”
Miggy plays and then goes
With Gallo out, Andujar got the start in leftfield, his first start since being recalled last Tuesday, when Aaron Hicks went on paternity leave (the latter returned Friday). With no true role at the moment, Andujar was an obvious choice to be sent down once the rosters were trimmed. Still, Boone came away impressed after watching Andujar, who was off to a good start with Scranton, collect two hits Sunday.
“Awesome,” Boone said. “I know it’s not easy for him right now, but I feel like his mindset’s really good.”
On the injury front
Boone said righthander Domingo German, who started the season on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement, recently threw a 30-pitch bullpen session.
“He’s doing pretty well,” said Boone, adding that German threw fastballs and changeups in the session. “He’s now on the mound and no issues to this point.”
Boone said catcher Ben Rortvedt, who started the season on the IL with the Grade 1 right oblique strain he suffered early in spring training, is “full go” in taking on-field batting practice and going through defensive drills.
Boone added: “I don’t know when he’s scheduled to get live at-bats or get into games, but I would say it’s getting close to that.”
