Clarke Schmidt exits with forearm tightness in worrying Yankees sign

As if the Yankees did not have enough problems on their hands, Clarke Schmidt exited his start Thursday after just three innings and 55 pitches.

The announcement that followed was even more concerning, as the team said Schmidt had right forearm tightness.

There was no obvious sign of discomfort while Schmidt was pitching, but as the Yankees rallied to tie the game at three in the top of the fourth, Clayton Beeter began to warm up in the bullpen and then entered to pitch the bottom of the frame.

Clarke Schmidt pitches during the second inning of the Yankees-Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre on July 3, 2025.

Schmidt, who has dealt with various injuries throughout his career (including Tommy John surgery in 2017), had experienced a slower recovery between starts recently, which led the Yankees to give him an extra day of rest before his last start on Saturday.

But the right-hander, pitching on normal rest this time around, only made it through the third inning Thursday before leaving the game at Rogers Centre.