The New York Yankees are anticipating the return of two key pitchers from the injured list as they prepare for the stretch run of the regular season and potential postseason action. Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to make his fifth rehab appearance on Saturday, which could mark the conclusion of his recovery from Tommy John surgery if all goes smoothly. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Schmidt’s activation could coincide with the team’s upcoming road trip. “Let’s get through Saturday and we’ll see,” Boone said Friday ahead of the Yankees’ 6-4 victory over the New York Mets in the Subway Series opener. “But that’s in play.”
Meanwhile, left-hander Ryan Weathers is on the mend from a left forearm flexor strain that sidelined him for two weeks. Nearly a week into his throwing program, Weathers is aiming to progress to a bullpen session Monday. He plans to resume throwing his hard slider on flat ground by Saturday, at which point he expects to be back to throwing all his pitches. Weathers is eager to return to game action before the playoffs, seeking to regain his competitive rhythm with at least an inning of regular-season work. “We’re kind of fighting the clock right now and trying to be smart with it,” Weathers said. “Everything’s trending in the right direction. I have no doubt I could throw 40 pitches right now in a game. If I just need 20-25, I’d rather use those in a game than burn them in a live [batting practice]. I just want to get an inning back in competition before the playoffs… It’s more high-pressure and I want to get my feet back under me.”
Offensively, second baseman José Caballero was held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game on Friday as Boone opted to start Anthony Volpe at the position. Volpe, who was called up Thursday and learned second base at Triple-A, is filling in while Jazz Chisholm Jr. remains injured. Boone acknowledged ongoing conversations with Caballero, describing him as a valued bench player during this critical phase of the season. “Everyone wants to play,” Caballero said. “That’s why we have a manager. He’s the one making decisions. We all have to be OK with it and try to do the best we can in the role we got.”
Slugger Aaron Judge returned to the lineup Friday after missing three months due to a right rib stress fracture, recording one hit in three at-bats with a walk. Boone was noncommittal on Judge’s availability for the three-game series against the Mets.
In roster moves, the Yankees recalled reliever Bradley Hamner, restoring the bullpen to 14 pitchers on the 28-man roster after optioning outfielder Jasson Dominguez to Triple-A following Thursday’s game. The move follows a brief stretch with an additional position player on the roster during the recent series against the Colorado Rockies.