Yankees prized pitching prospect Chase Hampton ’s frustrating 2024 season started with optimism. After spending most of last season on the injured list with flexor and groin strains, the right-hander showed up for spring training healthy and feeling good.

Initially, Clarke Schmidt was part of that list after manager Aaron Boone revealed he was dealing with a "cranky back." But Schmidt quickly shut down concerns, telling reporters t

Hampton is back in New York to be examined and it sounds like elbow surgery is a distinct possibility. The 23-year-old was limited to just seven starts in 2024 due to elbow, shoulder and groin injuries.

The Yankees will be without a top pitching prospect at spring training, as Chase Hampton was sent to New York due to a UCL injury.

Hampton, the Yankees’ sixth-round pick in 2022, was widely considered a Top 100 prospect at this time last year before the injury-laden season. Still, he entered this spring as the Yankees’ No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America.

For the second straight spring, the Yankees’ top pitching prospect has a flexor strain, but this one might have some longer-lasting damage.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone informed reporters, including Greg Joyce of The New York Post, that right-hander Luis Gil has a high-grade lat strain.

Aaron Boone said the Yankees pitching prospect complained about “elbow stuff” after throwing a bullpen on Friday.