Yankees' Clarke Schmidt: Rehab assignment underway

Schmidt (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Monday with the Yankees' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Schmidt recently tossed a two-inning simulated game at the Yankees' spring-training complex, so he's expected to stretch out to three innings or 45 pitches in his first rehab outing, which also marks his 2021 debut in affiliated ball. The Yankees are seemingly preparing for Schmidt to build up his pitch count for starting duty, but a relief role probably represents his most realistic path to making an impact for the big club in the second half of the season.