Marcus Stroman experienced another difficult outing Tuesday during his latest rehab start with the Double-A Somerset team, surrendering five runs on 10 hits across 3.2 innings while throwing 65 pitches, 41 of which were strikes. This appearance may have been his final step before rejoining the New York Yankees’ pitching rotation. Stroman, 34, had shown improvement in his previous rehab start, retiring the first 10 batters and allowing just two runs in 3.1 innings.
The right-hander has been sidelined since April 12 due to left knee inflammation and holds an 0-1 record with a 11.57 ERA in three starts for the Yankees this season.
Current Rehab Status and Yankees’ Plans for Stroman
Against the Erie SeaWolves, the Detroit Tigers’ Double-A affiliate, Stroman struck out only one batter while issuing two walks, with his velocity around 89 mph. Erie scored early with a run in the first inning and added four more in the third, enabled by successive doubles from Jake Holton and Chris Meyers, followed by a Justice Bigbie single.
Across three rehab starts totaling 10.1 innings, Stroman has given up nine runs (eight earned), posting a 6.97 ERA, and has recorded nine strikeouts against five walks. Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated before the latest start that Stroman “would be in the mix” to return to the major league roster, though no official timetable for his reinstatement has yet been announced.
Yankees’ Division Lead Narrows Amid Stroman’s Injury Concerns
The Yankees have not seen the expected contributions from Stroman in the first year of his two-year, $37 million contract signed in January 2024. The deal features an $18 million vesting option for 2026, contingent upon Stroman pitching at least 140 innings this season, a milestone that now appears unlikely given his injury and recent performances.
Last year, Stroman finished with a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA over 30 appearances (29 starts), pitching 154.2 innings with 113 strikeouts and 60 walks. Despite a strong team pitching effort that keeps the Yankees’ 3.51 ERA as the seventh-lowest in the majors, their American League East lead over the Tampa Bay Rays has shrunk to just one game.
Yankees Rotation and Potential Return Timeline for Stroman
The current pitching rotation for New York includes Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Will Warren. Rookie right-hander Allan Winans made his first start on Monday in a 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings. The Yankees could consider placing Stroman in Winans’ next rotation slot for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses.