Clarke Schmidt will get the ball with a chance to pitch the Yankees to a Subway Series victory Sunday night.
The 25-year-old right-hander was called up Sunday to face the Mets for his 2021 debut after missing most of the season with an elbow strain.
Schmidt, currently the Yankees’ No. 5 prospect per MLB.com, made his MLB debut last season, posting a 7.11 ERA in three outings (one start).
To make room for Schmidt — whose spot start comes in place of Gerrit Cole, who left his last start early with hamstring tightness — the Yankees optioned Andrew Velazquez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Bronx-born shortstop had given the Yankees a boost while Gleyber Torres was injured, particularly with his slick defense.