Yankees' Cam Schlittler keeps dangerous Blue Jays lineup at bay
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TORONTO — It wasn't quite same Schlitt, different day, but Cam Schlittler got the job done anyway.
In a start that was more of a grind than his MLB debut two weeks ago, Schlittler kept a challenging lineup at bay across five solid innings to put the Yankees in a position to eventually win a 5-4 game over the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.
'He's been great,' said Ben Rice, who delivered the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth. 'He's pitching with a lot of confidence, a lot of maturity out there. Doesn't seem to be fazed when there's traffic on the bases. Those are the kind of qualities you want to see in a guy early on in his career.'
Schlittler, who was pushed back from starting Friday after experiencing biceps soreness during the All-Star break, said he did not feel any ill effects of it Tuesday. He fell behind hitters more than he would have liked, but he held the Blue Jays to two runs across five innings while allowing 10 base runners (seven hits, three walks) and striking out three.
'Just kind of battling,' Schlittler said. 'Obviously the first one went a little bit smoother than today. Today was more of a grind, but appreciate the defense behind me and the offense showing up.'
Cam Schlittler held the Blue Jays to just two runs over five innings in the Yankees' 5-4 win on July 22, 2025.
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The hard-throwing right-hander got out of some big jams. With two runners on in the bottom of the first, he struck out Alejandro Kirk with a 99 mph fastball to end the threat. In the second, he left the bases loaded by getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to pop out.
'Slow heartbeat, poised,' said Cody Bellinger, who helped Schlittler out with some strong defense in left field. 'I think the stuff is electric, as everyone can see. But the heartbeat seems to be very good and very confident in his ability.'
The 24-year-old Schlittler remains an intriguing arm to watch in the coming days and weeks, one that could get a chance to continue helping the Yankees or that could be on the move by the July 31 trade deadline with the club needing to address multiple holes.
'You really see his stuff play,' manager Aaron Boone said. 'He walked a few guys while throwing a lot of strikes, so that's the one part he'd probably like to have back. But to give us five strong innings there, put us in position to win, I thought he was really good.'
Cam Schlittler throws a pitch during the Yankees' win over the Blue Jays.
AP
Fernando Cruz began a throwing program over the weekend after landing on the injured list in late June with a high-grade oblique strain.
The reliever, who the Yankees could sorely use at the back end of their bullpen, is still likely at least a month away from returning, but he is moving in the right direction.
'Because it's not fully healed yet, it's a slower throwing program,' Boone said Tuesday. 'But he's doing really well. I know [he] 'felt awesome' after throwing the other day. It's probably gone a little better than we expected considering the high grade. But it'll take some time to get him fully ramped up.'
Obliques can be tricky, though, as evidenced by Ryan Yarbrough's recovery.
He landed on the IL a week before Cruz with a lower-grade strain, but he has only been throwing on flat ground as his rehab moves slower.
Max Fried should not have any restrictions in his start on Wednesday, Boone said, after the left-hander dealt with a blister issue since his last outing on July 12.
Fried threw a light bullpen session on Friday in Atlanta and a more intense one on Sunday to clear him to make Wednesday's start.
'The first few days he just played catch basically with a Band-Aid on,' Boone said. 'That's been removed here as he's gotten into the bullpen and things like that. Obviously you're paying attention to it, but shouldn't be any restrictions.'
Yerry De Los Santos (right elbow discomfort), who began a rehab assignment on Saturday, 'should be in play here very soon,' Boone said.
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