Clarke Schmidt set to begin his Yankees playoff bullpen audition

The return of a pitcher who has missed over a year due to injury is cause for celebration within a team — a moment of gratitude toward and validation for the pitching, training and medical staffs and a moment of reflection and appreciation from the pitcher. So the Yankees will celebrate the impending return of Clarke Schmidt.But immediately afterward, they will begin determining how much he can help a team that needs it.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

“I think he could be huge,” manager Aaron Boone said Sunday before claiming the Subway Series with a 2-0 win in The Bronx. Schmidt finished up his rehab assignment Saturday and is expected to be activated sometime in Minnesota for a series that begins Monday. For what will be his first game since July 3, 2025, after which he required Tommy John surgery, Schmidt acknowledged his excitement level is “very high.” “Obviously this has been a long journey,” said Schmidt, who proudly added he has his “bags packed” for the road trip.“So a lot of anticipation, and it’s going to kind of probably feel like a debut when I go out there.” But it won’t be a debut.

It will be Schmidt, who went down as a starting pitcher, returning as a reliever who quickly enters a competition for an October roster spot and serious innings. Virtually the only relievers assured of spots on the Yankees playoff roster are David Bednar, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick (with even Tim Hill’s spot somewhat in doubt).Otherwise, the Yankees have around a dozen arms seeking to separate themselves, a group to which Schmidt belongs. In five minor league outings, the 30-year-old faced 26 batters and struck out 11.

He allowed three earned runs (all three in his first two appearances) in seven innings in which he let up six hits and walked one.He aimed a four-seamer on the outside of the plate Saturday and glanced ...