Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil were both in the bullpen for Game 1 of the ALDS, though the Yankees didn’t end up needing either of them.
Only Gil will be staying there the rest of the series.
Schmidt has been tabbed as Wednesday’s Game 3 starter against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, manager Aaron Boone announced Monday, answering a question that has been up for debate since the final weeks of the regular season.
“[Schmidt] can deal,” Boone said. “And not that Luis can’t, because Luis might find himself in the biggest spot in this series and we’ll need him. Then hopefully if we move on, he’s going to slot right back into the rotation [for the ALCS]. But I felt like Clarke was the guy for Game 3.”
Because of built-in off-days during the ALDS, the Yankees only needed three starters, with Gerrit Cole pitching Game 1 (and Game 4 if needed) and Carlos Rodon starting Game 2 (and Game 5 if needed).
But the Yankees decided to go with Schmidt for the middle game of the series because of the upside he has shown around missing three-plus months this season with a lat strain.
The right-hander pitched to a 2.85 ERA across 16 starts and 85 ¹/₃ innings this year, a smaller workload that should have him fresher for October.
The uber-confident Schmidt has also pitched in the postseason before — though it was in a relief role during the 2022 playoffs — with Boone saying his edge and experience may have played “a little bit” of a factor.
“I felt like we had some really tough decisions to make but good decisions to make, because we’re talking about guys that we have a lot of confidence in and feel like could hand the ball to,” Boone said. “If I decided to go with Luis, I feel good about what he can bring to the table.
“But I do feel like Clarke has become just an outstanding pitcher in this league, not only last year from May on, but [has] gone to another level even this year. I feel like he’s throwing the ball really well right now.”
Schmidt said he officially got the word from Boone on Sunday’s off-day and is looking forward to getting the ball.
“Obviously really excited,” Schmidt said. “Great opportunity and something I’ve been looking forward to and hoping would happen.”
Gil, who enjoyed a breakout season while pitching to a 3.50 ERA across 29 starts and 151 ²/₃ innings, could be a weapon out of the bullpen, where his stuff might play up better than Schmidt’s in shorter spurts and generate more swing-and-miss.
There had been questions throughout the season whether Gil might end up in the bullpen to help manage his career-high workload, after missing almost all of the last two years rehabbing Tommy John surgery, and now the Yankees may get to find out what that looks like — though Boone said that Gil is healthy.
The team considered having Gil pitch out of the bullpen during the final week of the regular season to get some experience with it, but wanted to make sure both he and Schmidt got through the finish line healthy and fully built up heading into five days off before the ALDS.
“Right now I think [it’s] best that he plays a role in the pen for us, and I feel like Clarke is in a spot to where he’s ready to go for Game 3,” said Boone, who indicated Gil could either provide length or get thrown into a high-leverage spot out of the bullpen.
Gil threw five innings of one-run ball against the Royals last month while Schmidt has not faced them this season, which could work in his advantage.
“I feel like he’s throwing the ball, towards the end, as well as he was to start the season and what I feel like was one of the better pitchers in the league,” Boone said. “That’s where I feel like he’s at.”