Yankees' Cam Schlittler Dealing With Back 'Tweak,' Will Continue Throwing

Manager Aaron Boone calls injury 'minor,' but testing 'came back bad news'

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler is dealing with mid-back inflammation that manager Aaron Boone called 'minor,' but will force him to stay off the mound for a while. The 25-year-old righty has 'felt a little tweak' in his back in recent workouts, and the Yankees had him undergo testing that 'kind of came back bad news,' Boone said. However, Boone noted that the injury 'really hasn't slowed' Schlittler and that he will continue throwing.

Why it matters

Schlittler was a key part of the Yankees' success in the second half of last season and their playoff run, and the team is counting on him to be a key part of their rotation this year as they await the returns of other injured starters. Any setback for Schlittler could have a significant impact on the Yankees' pitching depth.

The details

Boone said the Yankees told Schlittler they didn't want him to potentially make the injury worse by pitching through pain. Schlittler has already thrown as many as two innings in a live batting practice setting, and Boone said the team expects him to be a key part of their rotation this season.

  • Schlittler debuted for the Yankees on July 9, 2025.
  • Schlittler threw eight scoreless innings to beat the Boston Red Sox, 4-0, in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium in 2025.

The players

Cam Schlittler

A 25-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who was a key part of the team's success in the second half of the 2025 season and their playoff run.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

Gerrit Cole

A starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is expected to return from injury in June 2026.

Carlos Rodón

A starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is expected to return from injury in May 2026.

Clarke Schmidt

A starting pitcher for the New York Yankees who is expected to return from injury in the second half of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Look, obviously, we're very excited about him and expect him to be a key part of our rotation, and still expect that from (the) jump.”

— Aaron Boone, Manager (New York Times)

“It's something he kind of feels (and) he gets some treatment. But we kind of just said, 'Hey, you're kind of ahead of the schedule in the progression standpoint. Let's not turn this into something.'”

— Aaron Boone, Manager (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.