Clarke Schmidt throws scoreless start in Yankees’ win vs. Cubs

CHICAGO – An increasingly crowded rotation will force the Yankees to make several tough decisions as they plan ahead for the postseason, but with strong outings like Clarke Schmidt’s to consider, it could be a good problem to have.

For the second consecutive day, a Yankees starter returned from the injured list to toss scoreless ball. Schmidt followed Luis Gil’s sparkling outing by pitching into the fifth inning, helping the Yankees to a 2-0 victory over the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Schmidt had not pitched in a big league game since May 26 due to a strained right lat, but the right-hander showed little rust, limiting the Cubs to four hits in a 75-pitch effort. Schmidt walked one and struck out two before turning the mound over to Nestor Cortes, who held Chicago hitless over 4 1/3 innings in his first appearance out of the bullpen this season as a ‘piggyback’ reliever.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he has not yet decided how six arms will fit into a five-man rotation — and in a playoff series, one fewer. Gerrit Cole is likely assured of a Game 1 start, but there will be an in-house debate on how best to deploy Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Cortes, Gil and Schmidt.

Austin Wells knocked in Gleyber Torres with the game’s first run on a first-inning groundout, and New York added another run with a sixth-inning double steal. Catcher Christian Bethancourt’s throw went down the left-field line, allowing Aaron Judge to trot home.

With the victory, the Yankees (82-60) clinched their 32nd consecutive winning season, which is the second-longest streak in Major League history behind the 1926-64 Yankees, who were winners in 39 straight seasons. It matches the second-longest streak in the four major pro sports, alongside the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens (1952-83).