# Schmidt Returns After Tommy John Surgery

> Clarke Schmidt throws his first big league pitch since Tommy John surgery.
- Title: Schmidt Returns After Tommy John Surgery · New York Post
- Summary: Clarke Schmidt throws his first big league pitch since Tommy John surgery. Clarke Schmidt pitched a 5-4 loss for the Yankees in his first big league game…
- Keywords: clarke schmidt, yankees, tommy john surgery, pitching, twins, boston red sox, seattle mariners, target field, yankees bullpen, triple a, capsular sprain, trent grisham
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/17/sports/yankees-clarke-schmidt-solid-in-first-outing-since-tommy-john-surgery
- Published: 2026-09-17T05:47:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: clarke schmidt, yankees, tommy john surgery, pitching, twins, boston red sox, seattle mariners, target field, yankees bullpen, triple a, capsular sprain, trent grisham
## Schmidt's First Big League Game
Clarke Schmidt made his return to a big league mound 14 months and five days after Tommy John surgery.
## Schmidt's Performance
Schmidt struck out two batters and allowed two bloop hits in the seventh inning of a 5-4 loss to the Twins in 13 innings.
## Schmidt's Emotional Response
Schmidt called the outing 'emotional' and said it was a long journey with many ups and downs.

> Emotional, said Schmidt, whose two runners were stranded by Brent Headrick to keep it a 2-0 deficit at the time.
## Schmidt's Pitching Stats
Schmidt threw 24 pitches, 13 for strikes, topping out at 95.8 mph on his fastball.
## Yankees' Bullpen Plan
The Yankees hope Schmidt settles into a bullpen role to pitch important innings down the stretch and into the playoffs.
## Schmidt's Future Role
Schmidt will likely pitch one or one-plus innings at a time with no back-to-back days.
## Key takeaway

Clarke Schmidt pitched a 5-4 loss for the Yankees in his first big league game since Tommy John surgery.