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The Yankees commence their season in ten days, with an opening day game followed by subsequent matchups. That means the coaching staff must consider whether to keep Schmidt in Tampa for further conditioning and how many pitches he might be able to handle when he returns—factors that can impact their overall pitching strategy.
Concerns About Pitching Depth
The Yankees' reliance on Schmidt is particularly worrisome given his injury history. Last season, he was sidelined for over two months due to a labral injury and has undergone Tommy John surgery. Throughout his career, he has struggled to remain healthy enough to reach 30 starts—a troubling trend that raises alarms among fans and analysts alike.