The New York Yankees are facing a significant setback as Clarke Schmidt is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of the 2023 season and likely most of 2024. This injury compounds the team's struggles in the American League East, where they have lost five consecutive games and 15 of their last 21.

Schmidt's surgery follows that of Gerrit Cole, who underwent the same procedure earlier this year. With Schmidt's 3.32 ERA from his 14 starts this season, his absence will be felt keenly, particularly as the Yankees also await the return of Luis Gil, who has been out all season. The rotation depth is thinning rapidly, potentially impacting the team's playoff aspirations.