Yankees Pitcher Clarke Schmidt Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Forearm Soreness

The New York Yankees placed pitcher Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm soreness following a shortened start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Schmidt, who has been dealing with forearm tightness since early June, left his July 3 start after three innings when his discomfort worsened, prompting an MRI scan to assess the injury. The Yankees recalled pitchers Scott Effross and Jayvien Sandridge from Triple-A to fill the roster gaps caused by Schmidt's absence. This injury compounds the Yankees' ongoing pitching challenges, including the season-ending injury to Gerrit Cole and other pitching staff difficulties, contributing to a recent series of losses that have dropped the team out of first place in the AL East. Schmidt had been performing well before the injury, with a 4-4 record and a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts, including a streak of 28 1/3 scoreless innings in June. The Yankees now face the challenge of stabilizing their pitching rotation amid a critical stretch of the season highlighted by their upcoming series against the Mets.