New York Yankees

Clarke Schmidt

SP

Schmidt landed on the injured list shortly before the regular season ended due to right bicep neuritis, and rather than trying to get him ready to contribute to the team's postseason run, the Yankees have decided to focus on getting him fully healthy for 2027. The 30-year-old righty will be entering his final year of arbitration eligibility this winter.

Ryan Weathers

SP

Weathers threw another live batting practice session Monday, so he's progressed well in his recovery from a flexor strain that's kept him out since late August. He could be ready for the ALDS, should the Yankees advance, but the club felt Weathers wasn't quite ready for the wild-card round.

Aaron Judge

RF

Judge was diagnosed with a moderate right calf strain a little less than two weeks ago. He's made progress, having taken live batting practice Monday, but Judge has yet to try running the bases or playing the outfield since the injury. Judge will push to be ready for the ALDS, should the Yankees advance. With Judge shelved, New York will likely use Spencer Jones in right field and Trent Grisham in center field versus righties.

Fernando Cruz

RP

The move corresponds with Alexander Cornielle being promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles. There's a chance Cruz returns to action if the Yankees make it to the World Series, though it's more likely that the right-hander is shelved for the rest of the 2026 season due to a partial UCL tear in his right elbow.

Kervin Castro

RP

The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Michael Fulmer, who signed a one-year contract. Castro hit the shelf in mid-August due to right elbow neuritis, and Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports that the 27-year-old is scheduled to meet with Dr. Keith Meister in the near future to determine whether surgery is necessary to address the injury. Even if Castro is able to avoid a procedure, his move to the 60-day IL officially ends his season.