Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt left Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after the third inning with right forearm tightness.
Schmidt had thrown 55 pitches over the three innings, allowing three runs on four hits, but surprisingly didn't come back out for the fourth inning.
Clayton Beeter replaced him on the mound, making his season debut after being called up from Triple-A on Wednesday.
Schmidt lasted six innings in his previous start against the Athletics on June 28, which was pushed back a day after throwing seven no-hit innings against the Orioles on June 21.
After the game, manager Aaron Boone said Schmidt would get an MRI on Friday and hopes there's not anything seriously wrong with the young right-hander.
"It’s been a little bit of an issue for him the last few starts, just kinda recovering," Boone said of Schmidt's forearm. "Usually it comes on a little later in the game, today was a little bit earlier and had a hard time finishing his pitches. So got him out of there."
Boone said Schmidt was supposed to make at least one more start before the All-Star break but they'll have to wait for the MRI to determine next steps but said an IL stint is on the table, even if it's something minor.
An IL stint would be a big blow for the Yankees who are already dealing with injuries to their pitching staff. Of course, Gerrit Cole will miss the entire season after undergoing elbow surgery, and Luis Gil hasn't even played in a game yet this year but should be back after the All-Star break.
The team did just get Marcus Stroman back, but had lost Ryan Yarbrough in late June to an oblique strain. As of right now, the Yankees rotation has Will Warren, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Stroman and will now need to find someone to take Schmidt's spot.
Schmidt has been consistent for the Yankees this season. In 14 starts, including Thursday, he's pitched to a 4-4 record and a 3.32 ERA. He was amazing in June, pitching to a 1.95 ERA across five starts.
