Wednesday night brought some encouraging signs for a Yankees rotation that desperately needs it. Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Though it wasnt the cleanest start from Clarke Schmidt, the outing stretched longer than expected acro s 73 pitches and it resulted in a series victory after Schmidt allowed four hits and three earned runs acro s 5 / innings. He finished with two strikeouts and two walks. His return, following right rotator cuff tendinitis that sidelined him to start the season, was vital for the Yankees, who are navigating without Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman. In the first, hes up over 20 [pitches] so youre like, you kinda go into the night, hopefully you get four [innings], manager Aaron Boone said after the win. A couple times through, maybe. Trent Miner Jersey For him to almost get through six, to be that efficient and keep us right there, I thought it was a good night for him and another good step back to being all the way back for him. But really excited he is back in the rotation. Clarke Schmidt reacts after he is pulled in the sixth inning of the Yankees win over the Twins on April 16, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Schmidt allowed a run off of a single in an amped up first inning, as he described it, and trouble later came in the top of the fifth, when the Royals Kyle Isbel hit a triple to tie the game 3-3. Still, the 2017 first-round pick didnt think he was going to get nearly six innings out of his day. Very aggre sive from them tonight, Schmidt said. My mentality going into it was to fill up the strike zone and go out there and attack and see how deep we can go. Obviously, it worked out for the best because they were swinging a lot. The rightys first start also came on a day that saw another blow to the depleted rotation. Gil, who was supposed to start his throwing program Wednesday, had to delay it due to the slow healing proce s of his strained right lat. It likely means In just a matter of hours before first pitch, Schmidts importance to the Yankees hit a new high. Clarke Schmidt delivers a pitch in the first inning of the Yankees win over the Twins. Corey Sipkin for New York Post Its something he believes he is ready for a bigger role. Throughout the years, I feel like I know my pitch package better, Schmidt said. When I first went out there when I was younger, it was like just going out there and just trying to throw your best stuff and now Im reading swings, Im learning. Its more pitch to pitch and youre just a lot more calm. So, I feel more equipped as far as that goes, and obviously the work that I put in. Matthew Phillips Jersey