TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt has been dealing with “a cranky back,” according to manager Aaron Boone, who indicated he does not believe the issue is significant.
Schmidt tossed what Boone described as an “aggressive” flat-ground session on Wednesday. Schmidt began experiencing the issues after throwing from a bullpen mound on Friday.
“Really, he’s fine,” Boone said. “We’ve kept him throwing, but he was kind of ahead of the game anyway with the amount of [live sessions] he’s done and the amount of bullpens he had done. We just slowed him down and didn’t have him throwing. … I don’t think it’s much of anything.”
Boone said Schmidt is expected to toss another side session on Friday, and has no concerns about Schmidt being ready for Opening Day. Schmidt and Luis Gil are in line for back-end rotation spots, following Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón.
Marcus Stroman is in line as the apparent sixth starter, ahead of in-house choices like Carlos Carrasco and JT Brubaker.
Stro show
Stroman has been tabbed as the Yankees’ starter for their Grapefruit League opener on Friday against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Boone said Stroman is expected to throw one inning.
“His bullpens have [had] a lot of volume and [have been] pretty intense,” Boone said. “He’s ready to roll.”
Going after it
At this time last spring, Gil was a long-shot candidate to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster; in fact, the right-hander was dispatched to Minor League camp, only to be returned across the street when Cole sustained a right elbow injury.
This year, Gil is the reigning American League Rookie of the Year and seemingly assured a place in the rotation. He tossed an inning of live batting practice on Wednesday, facing a group that included Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and No. 21 overall prospect Jasson Domínguez, and said the change in status will not affect his preparation.
“One of the key things about getting ready for the season is having a certain mindset,” Gil said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “Regardless of if you have a spot in the rotation or not, that mindset is essential. You’ve got to have that drive and that mindset when you come into Spring Training.”
Gil said he followed a similar program to last offseason, “because I felt that it worked out well for me.” After two weeks with no baseball activities, Gil said he focused on cardio, then incorporated weightlifting.
“I was doing everything you need to do to get your arm ready for a long season,” Gil said.
Yes, in-Didi
There was a familiar face wearing a media credential on Wednesday at Yankees camp: former Bombers infielder Didi Gregorius, who swapped his glove and bat for a Canon camera to indulge his hobby of photography.
Gregorius, 35, said he is seeking an opportunity to play in the United States. He played for Union Laguna in the independent Mexican League last year, where his manager was former Yankees catcher José Molina. Gregorius last appeared in the Majors with the 2022 Phillies.