New York Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman has encountered a setback in his recovery from a left knee injury, casting further uncertainty on his return to the mound.
Marcus Stroman’s return delayed as knee discomfort persists
Marcus Stroman, who has been sidelined for a month, experienced continued discomfort after throwing a live batting practice session Friday in Tampa, Florida. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Sunday that the veteran starter will now be reevaluated as the club assesses the next steps in his rehab process.
“He’s gotten a lot of treatment on it,” Boone told reporters. “But it just can’t get over that final hump to really allow him to get to that next level on the mound. We’ll keep working to get our arms around it and make sure we get that discomfort out of there.”
The 34-year-old has not pitched since a rough outing on April 11, when he gave up five runs in just two-thirds of an inning against the San Francisco Giants. He was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day. At the time, Boone expressed hope it would be a short absence, but Stroman remains without a clear timeline for return.
Boone acknowledged that Stroman’s injury may have affected his performance earlier in the season. Over three starts, he went 0–1 with an 11.57 ERA — a stark contrast to his typical output.
“In that last start, I don’t think he could really step on that front side like he needed to,” Boone said. “These guys are like race cars — one thing out of place can throw off their command or that last bit of velocity and stuff. We’re going to keep trying to get him to a place where he can be successful.”
This is not the first time Stroman has dealt with issues in his left knee. Back in March 2015, he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in the same knee while with the Toronto Blue Jays. He returned to pitch that September, showcasing a fast recovery at the time. However, this latest flare-up has proven more stubborn.
Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season, which includes a $16 million conditional player option for 2026 if he reaches 140 innings pitched this year. That mark now seems in serious jeopardy.
Last season, the right-hander made 30 appearances (29 starts) and went 10–9 with a 4.31 ERA across 154 2/3 innings for the Chicago Cubs — his highest workload since 2021 with the Mets. He faded in the second half and did not pitch in the postseason, when the Yankees made their first World Series run since 2009.
Now in his second season of the deal, Stroman’s injury throws a wrench into a rotation that had been relatively stable to start the year. The Yankees are still atop the AL East, but his prolonged absence could test their pitching depth moving forward.
LeMahieu Nearing Return
In more encouraging news, infielder DJ LeMahieu played in his second consecutive rehab game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Boone said the veteran could rejoin the Yankees during their upcoming series in Seattle and potentially make his season debut there.
LeMahieu received a cortisone injection last week in his right hip — a lingering issue that dates back to last season. The Yankees have taken a cautious approach with the 35-year-old, who projects to be a key piece of the infield once fully healthy.
The Yankees are currently without LeMahieu, Stroman, and Jon Berti due to injuries, while Gerrit Cole remains on the 60-day IL with an elbow issue. Even so, the team has managed to stay afloat with strong performances from its young call-ups and the steady presence of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto at the heart of the lineup.
As the season moves forward, getting veterans like Stroman and LeMahieu back healthy will be crucial for the Yankees’ postseason push.
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