Yankees place closer Clarke Schmidt on 15-day IL with right biceps neuritis

The Yankees placed right-hander Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day injured list on September 24, retroactive to September 22, with right biceps neuritis, per MLB.com reporting. Schmidt has been shut down from throwing and would not be eligible to return before a potential American League Championship Series, ruling him out for at least the Wild Card Series.

Schmidt was set to enter in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in Phoenix but cut short his warmups after experiencing what he described as a "cramping" sensation localized near his right biceps, per MLB.com reporting. Manager Aaron Boone characterized the injury as minor in scope. "He just wasn't getting to a point where he could progress enough," Boone said per MLB.com. "It does seem like it's minor enough in scope that it's not going to be anything that affects him long term. But as far as getting ready right now, he is just having a hard time getting to that next level."

Schmidt, 30, made one relief appearance after returning from Tommy John surgery on September 16, striking out two and allowing two hits over two-thirds of an inning, per MLB.com reporting. He carries a career record of 23-24 with a 3.81 ERA. In 2025, Schmidt went 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts, per the same source.

In a corresponding move, right-hander Bradley Hanner was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, per MLB.com reporting. Pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged the setback: "He'll keep taking his time here. If we keep going, he might put himself back in the mix. It's tough to see him get this far and then not be able to contribute down the stretch," per MLB.com reporting.

Schmidt had been frequently mentioned as a potential bullpen piece in the postseason, along with left-hander Ryan Weathers, who has been working to recover from a left forearm flexor strain, per MLB.com reporting. The Yankees have been discussing right-hander Carlos Lagrange, their No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, as a potential postseason contributor, per the same source. Lagrange has yet to make his Major League debut but threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday as he recovers from a right capsule sprain. Blake said that Wednesday's live BP ruled Lagrange out from being added to the roster on September 24. Regarding Lagrange making his debut in the postseason, Blake said: "There's certainly a scenario where that happens. If it gets to that point, we're probably in a bad spot. [That would mean] some guys have gone and he's the next choice. But he's certainly put his name in the mix," per MLB.com reporting.