The Yankees are still a couple of days out from their spring training opener, but they’re already dealing with some concerning pitching issues, including with one of their top prospects.

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Wednesday in Tampa that right-hander Chase Hampton has a flexor strain and “something going on in the UCL.” Hampton is back in New York for testing and is “pretty bummed,” Boone said, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.

Hampton, who turns 24 in August, pitched in just seven games in 2024 as he dealt with a variety of injuries to his elbow, shoulder, and groin, including a flexor strain suffered during last year’s spring training.

He finished the season on a high note, though, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings for Double-A Somerset, striking out four hitters while allowing four hits.

A sixth-round pick of the Yankees in 2022, Hampton features a mid-90s fastball and a plus slider, and he finished last season ranked as the Yankees’ No. 6 overall prospect, trailing only Will Warren at No. 5 among pitchers. Hampton is also ranked as the No. 92 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline.

“Cranky” Clarke Schmidt

Boone also told reporters that starter Clarke Schmidt is dealing with a “cranky” back. The good news is that the club doesn’t sound overly concerned with Schmidt’s back, as Boone explained that the right-hander threw off flat ground on Wednesday and is expected to throw off the mound on Friday.

Schmidt is coming off of a breakout season with the Yankees, pitching to a 2.85 ERA. He did make just 16 regular season starts, though, as he dealt with a lat injury that kept him out from late May to early September.