TAMPA — A day removed from throwing live batting practice, Clarke Schmidt admitted that he likely won’t start the Yankees’ sixth game of the season on April 3.
“It’s probably tougher to reach that as far as the pitch count goes,” Schmidt said Friday. “We might be a little handcuffed, but I don’t think we’re too far off it. There’s obviously maneuverability, but the most important thing is feeling good after the outing. I don’t think I’m too far behind.”
Schmidt, who recently felt shoulder fatigue, did stress that he feels good following a two-inning, 32-pitch live batting practice session on Thursday. However, he’s made just one spring appearance this season and is not ready to throw 65-70 pitches, the minimum range he said he’d like to be at for his season debut.
Still, Schmidt stopped short of saying that he will start the season on the injured list, an outcome that has become increasingly likely.
“I don’t know,” Schmidt said. “I think we’re kind of wait and see how we respond and see what we can do as far as the pitch count goes. But obviously, as far as days remaining in spring training, we don’t have a ton.
“I haven’t completely shut down, so the workload is not too far off, but we’ll see where we’re at.”
If Schmidt lands on the shelf as expected, the Yankees’ season-opening rotation will have room for Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren. Such a transaction would also give Schmidt more time to build up if needed.
With Opening Day set for Thursday, the Yankees will play their last spring training game on Monday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. They will then play a one-off exhibition against the Marlins at Miami’s LoanDepot Park on Tuesday.
Schmidt believes he’s scheduled to pitch in a minor league game that day, though that’s not definitive.
GOLDSCHMIDT SITS AGAIN
Paul Goldschmidt (sore back) was supposed to return to the Yankees’ lineup on Friday, but that didn’t happen. The first baseman now expects to play Saturday against the Phillies, and a few more times before Opening Day.
“We just talked about giving it another day,” Goldschmidt said. “I mean, my back is basically 100% or very, very close to it.”
Goldschmidt went through full baseball activities on Thursday and planned on doing so again on Friday. He remains unconcerned about his availability for Opening Day and reiterated his soreness is something he would have been playing through if this were the regular season.