There might be a scenario where Clarke Schmidt takes over for J.A. Happ in the Yankees rotation next year if the veteran Lefty starter goes through a free agent.

If that happens, the Yankees will be in good hands according to Happ.

“I did see it tonight, I watched it with certainty. In spring training it looks like a very good kid, very confident and I think it looks at the mound. He has the confidence and a bit of that arrogance. “You looked at his things and how he played and we saw that in the spring and we saw more than that tonight,” Happ said following the first intrasquad game of the Yankees Spring 2.0 training at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. “I think he certainly has bright future.”

Schmidt, a Yankees first round pick in 2017 from the University of South Carolina who had Tommy John that year and did not play professionally that season, began fighting the Yankees ranks. Happ starts for the Bomber against the Yankees.

With very few opportunities to crash into the Yankees’ rotation in spring training, Schmidt impressed and caught the attention of the Yankees and opposed the scouting department. Monday night Clarke chose to focus on opportunities instead of ending his first major league camp as happened on March 12.

“Tonight to be able to have the chance to face quite a number of starting lineups for the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, I remember seeing the lineup card this afternoon and I was very excited,” said Schmidt, who put up a lineup that accommodates Judge Aaron, Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner and Luke Voit. “That is one of those feelings, like, ‘This is amazing.’ There is no better opportunity for me to open my eyes. Whatever I do in spring training 1 or whatever you want to call it it’s all behind me. If I want to open a door and open someone’s eyes, tonight is the night to do it. I kind of embraced that moment. “

Except for an injury to one of five starters – and Masahiro Tanaka suffering from a concussion last Saturday – Schmidt might not get a big league taste this year. However, nobody knows throwers like other throwers and Happ does not tend to make excessive statements.

Special Advisor CC Sabathia sat with GM Brian Cashman behind the home plate for an intrasquad match Monday night.

The Yankees did not deny or confirm reports that COVID-19 testers were not at Yankee Stadium on Sunday as scheduled, but Aaron Boone said the club did everything it could to make the players’ environment safe.

“I don’t want to comment on testing every day about how much negative, whether we have positive things, what’s coming in. I really don’t want to go that way now,” Boone said Monday via Zoom’s call before the Yankees first intrasquad match at Yankee Stadium . “All I can say is that we are working with Major League Baseball to ensure that we are as safe as expected in the way we behave and I am glad we are here.”

Giancarlo Stanton believes the testing program has been running the way it was made.

“I have been tested every day. I cannot speak that there is no tester here [Sunday]. “I believe like everyone who has used protocol,” Stanton said.

Asked whether DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa had to test negatively twice at home before undergoing an intake test in New York before cleaning, Boone said, “I think there is a little more to it. There is a joint panel that has to sign things as well. Obviously there are some negative tests that must occur and which must be carried out in conjunction with all major league protocols. “

Boone reiterated his confidence in the testing process.

“We are confident in the protocol we have. I know there are problems with the entire Fed Ex and Fourth of July weekend. We also feel nothing is perfect and nothing we do is perfect, but we feel our protocol gives us the best chance of survival, “Boone said.” Whether the tests roll every day every day, the fact is that nothing is perfect and we risky every day.If we have all the negative tests that come in today the reality is from two days ago.Every day we are here there is a risk involved in that.That is why, the best we can, we are trying to reduce it “We have a good system that is ready to do that and hopefully over time it will prove its courage.”

With a schedule of 60 matches played for this season, Boone is fine by placing runners on second base to start additional innings but will wait to decide whether he will agree to make it a permanent change after this year.

“I think I agree with this year’s regulations. I certainly understand and agree. I think that’s the tips of the scales to support the home team if you get an extra-innings scenario. “I have a lot of people who look at it and try to break it down and analyze it, see if there is the best way to exploit it from a tactical point of view,” Boone said.