**Clarke Schmidt Adjusts Approach Under Clemens’ Watchful Eye Amid Injury Recovery**
New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt had planned a cautious bullpen session to test his recovering back, but those intentions shifted when Hall of Famer **Roger Clemens** arrived to observe. “They wanted me to take it easy today, but I couldn’t dial it back with *the Rocket* watching,” Schmidt admitted to YES Network’s Meredith Markovitz. “I probably overdid it, but how often do you get to learn from a legend like him?”
Schmidt, who has been managing lingering back stiffness, acknowledged that the Yankees’ extended 2024 World Series run disrupted his typical offseason routine. “Playing an extra six weeks cuts into your recovery time,” he explained. “I might’ve taken too much time off before ramping up too quickly. It’s a balancing act—you don’t know what works until you live it.”
Clemens, a two-time World Series champion, embodies the grind of deep postseason campaigns. Schmidt hinted at seeking the seven-time Cy Young winner’s advice on adjusting training regimens after marathon seasons. “Having guys like Roger around is invaluable. You pick their brain on everything,” he said.
Despite the hiccups, Schmidt expressed optimism after the session: “Frustrating process, but my arm feels strong. We’ll keep tweaking the plan.” His blend of humility and determination mirrors the Yankees’ ethos as they navigate spring training—star power meets relentless adaptation.
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