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Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees
It was something of a surprise when New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, as spring training opened in Tampa, announced that pitcher Cam Schlittler–a sensation in the second half of last year after he was called up from the minors–is dealing with a back injury. The more that was found out about the injury, the less serious it seemed to be, but given the condition of the Yankees rotation, with three of its four top pitchers rehabbing from serious surgeries, any injury news is sure to trigger a level of anxiety.
As Boone said, “Cam Schlittler has a little inflammation in his back. So, probably keep him off the mound for the next few days, at least. He’s going to continue to throw, no issues there. He’s continuing his throwing program, just something we are trying to stay ahead of.”
The Schlittler himself took to social media on Thursday and clarified some things. In the wake of the announcement of his injury, no one mentioned whether the injury was to his right, or throwing side, or to his left.
Wrote Schlittler on Twitter/X: “Left lat** and not concerned at all. Gonna be a great upcoming week! Left lat goes into the middle of the back just clarifying it’s my left side chat.”
Cam Schlittler Made Big 2025 Impact
The 25-year-old Schlittler came up to the Yankees in July of last year after going 6-6 with a 2.38 ERA in stops at Double A and Triple A, and didn’t skip a beat in the majors. Schlittler was 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 73.0 innings last year in the big leagues, and helped rescue a pitching staff that was beset by injuries and disappointments.
If there’s an outpouring of concern over what maybe a relatively minor muscle injury, that’s a big part of the reason.
Said Boone, “Look, obviously, we’re very excited about him and expect him to be a key part of our rotation and still expect that from jump.”
Boone added that there were tests done on Schlittler’s injury, and that quelled concern from the organization.
Said Boone: “He had the tests done, kind of came back, good news. Just want to make sure we don’t turn this into something else. He’s felt a little tweak here and there. He has been doing his live—he’s one of those guys that’s already done two-ups and lives. So I don’t think it will slow him that much, but we just want to make sure we don’t turn it into something else.”
Yankees Could Get Schlittler Back Next Week
Schlittler himself addressed the issue, and noted that the Yankees might want him back on the mound sooner rather than later–as soon as next week, most likely.
He described the injury: “Mid-back, minor inflammation, you know—more lat as well. Just making sure I am staying on top of that the next few days and getting ready for games. … Last year, some on and off stuff. You get through it. For now, it’s good to take care of it, make sure it doesn’t become something you start worry about.”
He was also asked about his concern level on the lat issue: “Zero, I’d say. Like, it’s early, been dealing with it a little bit, so I just want to make sure I am on top of it. Ready for Opening Day.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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