Daily Report – 4/22/25

Here is today’s report:

Yankees

On Sunday, it was poor officiating, but it didn’t matter because the Yankees won. Yesterday, it was Clarke Schmidt, and this time the Yankees lost.

Across 4.0 innings in Cleveland last night, Schmidt gave up five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, and three walks. In the third inning, José Ramírez three-run homered before Kyle Manzardo flew solo. Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit two-run shots in the seventh and eighth innings, but it wasn’t enough to propel the Yankees over the Guardians. Cleveland won the first game of this three-game series 6-4.

The Yankees were down a couple of hitters last night. Trent Grisham hit the paternity list, and Ben Rice was only available off the bench after getting hit by a pitch on Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s game situations and we’re out there trying to win ballgames, but I’m also trying to refine myself and sharpen up and just get better each time I go out there,” said Schmidt. The start of Schmidt’s season was delayed due to injuries he sustained during Spring Training. He finished last night’s game with 80 pitches, likely the most Aaron Boone would have allowed him to throw.

“Just struggled a little bit with having that next level of command where he’s putting [the baseball] where he wants it,” said Boone. Schmidt mixed his pitches well, and his spin rate was on point, but his location was off. Schmidt’s arsenal lacks a four-seam fastball, so without sufficient command, he doesn’t have much to lean on.

Given the Yankees’ shallow rotation depth, Clarke Schmidt must be strong for them. On paper, he is their top active right-handed pitcher, and with Marcus Stroman’s extended stint on the injured list, there is more pressure on Schmidt to succeed.

Cleveland’s fifth run came in the fourth inning when Brayan Rocchio swatted a ball to second base, but his bat head split down the middle and Jazz Chisholm Jr. had to dodge the lumber. He mistook the baseball for the bat head.

“I want to make every play out there for my guy, but at the same time, you don’t want to die,” said Chisholm. “You got a sharp object coming your way. I’ve seen guys get stabbed with broken bats in person, so I know how bad the injury can be.”

With the bases loaded in the fourth, Schmidt retired José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo. He successfully bounced back after a difficult third inning.

But it wasn’t enough.

Tonight, RHP Will Warren (1-0, 5.17 ERA) looks to rebound from his last start as the Yankees try to force a rubber game against  RHP Tanner Bibee (1-2, 5.85 ERA), who has been inconsistent to start the season (YES).

Here is tonight’s starting lineup for the New York Yankees:

1. DH Ben Rice (L)

2. RF Aaron Judge (C) (R)

3. CF Cody Bellinger (L)

4. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)

5. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)

6. SS Anthony Volpe (R)

7. LF Jasson Domínguez (S)

8. C JC Escarra (R)

9. 3B Oswaldo Cabrera (S)

P: RHP Will Warren (1-0, 5.17)

Yankees Transactions:

• 4/22: NYY designated RHP Yoendrys Gómez for assignment

• 4/22: NYY selected the contract of LHP Tyler Matzek from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Schedule

6:10 PM (5:10 PM CDT): NYY at CLE; YES; SP: RHP Will Warren (1-0, 5.17 ERA)

That will conclude this report. Have a good evening.