The New York Yankees returned right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list on Wednesday, aiming to integrate the 30-year-old into their bullpen for the postseason following his 14-month recovery from elbow surgery.

The Yankees’ pitcher, eagerly anticipating his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, wanted nothing more than to take the mound later in the day. But first, he craved a cup of coffee. A latte, preferably. And if he couldn’t find one? “Day over,” Schmidt joked. “Not activated.”

Yankees activated RHP Clarke Schmidt (elbow) from the 60-day injured list.

Schmidt, who had Tommy John surgery in July 2025, sees the opportunity to come out of the bullpen as a chance to "open the throttle."

The Yankees wanted to throw one more thing at Clarke Schmidt before his return from Tommy John surgery. For his fifth and final rehab outing, the right-hander prepped for a bullpen role in the big leagues by entering in the middle of an inning Saturday night.

Clarke Schmidt returns to the Yankees in a reliver role for the postseason and could serve as a "multi-inning weapon" for New York.