Clarke Schmidt scratched from start in latest Yankees worry

TAMPA — Add Clarke Schmidt to the list of Yankees’ injury worries.

Supposed to be part of a rotation that has already taken a pair of body blows, Schmidt has been scratched from his scheduled start on Monday because he has been “a little sore” in his recovery, Aaron Boone said Sunday, indicating it has to do with his shoulder.

“Not bouncing back as well as he wanted to,” Boone said at Steinbrenner Field. “I think we’re just being cautious with it. But he’s not making his start, so there’s at least that concern.”

The plan is now for Schmidt to throw a bullpen session Monday instead of facing the Blue Jays, and if he recovers from that, he would be inserted back into the rotation.

But not much has gone as smoothly as the Yankees had hoped this spring when it comes to injuries and their pitching staff.

The Yankees have already lost Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) for the season and Luis Gil (lat strain) at least until June.

Some of their depth has also been hurt in Chase Hampton (Tommy John surgery) and JT Brubaker (broken ribs). 

For that reason especially, the Yankees were not interested in trying to have Schmidt pitch through the issue.

“Obviously at this point, with some of the attrition we’ve had, not something we want to push,” Boone said.

Schmidt has only appeared in one game so far this spring after being slowed early by a cranky back.

The Yankees had planned for him to start the sixth game of the season so he could build up as much as possible before heading north, but now that may be in jeopardy.