PITTSBURGH ¨C Clarke Schmidt excelled in his first Minor League rehab start of the season on Saturday, striking out seven over 3 1/3 scoreless innings as Double-A Somerset beat Hartford, 6-2.
Recovering from right rotator cuff tendinitis that stalled his progress this past spring, Schmidt permitted just a hit and a walk in the outing, throwing 37 of 52 pitches for strikes.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday the team envisions Schmidt, 29, making one more Minor League rehab start before rejoining the big league rotation on April 15 or 16 vs. Kansas City.
Boone said the club won¡¯t begin to plot what that means for the staff until that time. Incorporating Schmidt could force a decision involving Will Warren or Carlos Carrasco. Warren has Minor League options remaining.
Schmidt made 16 starts for the Yankees last season, posting a 5-5 record with a 2.85 ERA.
Sidelined by a right lat strain in late May, Schmidt returned to the rotation in early September and made three starts during the postseason, including a nod in Game 3 of the World Series against the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.