Here is the latest news and possible return dates for Yankees players...
April 5, 3:06 p.m.
Clarke Schmidt should be returning to the big league club soon after pitching in his first rehab start for the Somerset Patriots in Double-A on Saturday. The right-hander looked good in 3.1 scoreless innings, striking out seven while throwing 52 pitches.
If all goes well for Schmidt who is recovering from right rotator cuff tendinitis and hadn't pitched in a game since March 11 before Saturday's outing, manager Aaron Boone said the 29-year-old will make one more start in the minors before rejoining the Yanks on either April 15 or 16 to face the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu (calf) is still a week away from getting live at-bats, per Boone. The infielder hasn't played since his spring training debut on March 11 and will likely have a "pretty big build-up" before joining New York.
April 4, 3:50 p.m.
The Yankees aren't expecting Luis Gil (lat strain) to make his 2025 debut until sometime later this summer, but the reigning AL Rookie of the Year will soon take an important step forward in his recovery.
Before their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, manager Aaron Boone revealed that Gil is scheduled to start a throwing program in 7-10 days. The young right-hander was shut down in early March with a high-grade strain, and the initial expectation was to miss three months.
Boone also shared updates, both promising and discouraging, on a few injured relievers. Jake Cousins (forearm strain) is less than a week away from returning to the mound, though his place on the 60-day injured list means that his return isn't imminent. Ian Hamilton (infection), who's been ramping up in Triple-A games, is expected back in the bullpen next week when the Yankees visit the Tigers.
There was more bad news regarding Scott Effross (left hamstring), as he recently experienced a setback that pushes his timeline even further behind schedule.
March 29, 10:35 a.m.
RHP Ian Hamilton (illness), who was placed on the 15-day IL to start the season, will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, the Yankees announced.
Manager Aaron Boone said the team expects Hamilton to return as soon as he's eligible, which would be April 8.
Hamilton, 29, appeared in 35 games (37.2 IP) for the Yanks in 2024, going 0-1 with a 3.82 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 11 holds, and one save. He did miss some time due to a right lat strain, as he had pitched more in 2023 (58.0 IP over 39 games) with a 2.64 ERA and 69 strikeouts.
If Hamilton can return to his 2023 form, the Yankees could have one of the strongest, if not the best, bullpens in the majors along with All-Star closer Devin Williams and RHP Luke Weaver.
Boone also noted Giancarlo Stanton has resumed hitting indoors in the batting cages and "it's been a good couple of weeks" for him following the PRP treatments in his elbows.
March 19, 3:27 p.m.
After dealing with a minor back issue that had him sidelined for much of spring training, Mark Leiter Jr. threw an 18-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday and felt good, telling reporters afterwards, "If the season started tomorrow, I'd be ready."
Though the injury is ...
