NEW YORK — Marcus Stroman will return to the New York Yankees’ rotation Sunday against the Oakland Athletics, his first big league start since April 11. But with lingering command issues, a shaky rehab trail, and rising internal competition, Sunday’s outing may double as an audition — and possibly his final start in pinstripes.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Stroman will be activated from the injured list for the series finale in the Bronx, following a near three-month layoff due to left knee inflammation.
“He’ll come off the 15-day IL and take the ball Sunday,” Boone said after Friday’s 3–0 win over Oakland. “It’ll be good to get another experienced arm back in the mix.”
A return overshadowed by doubt
Stroman’s rehab performances did little to inspire confidence. In his most recent tune-up for Double-A Somerset, the right-hander surrendered 10 hits and five earned runs across 3⅔ innings. That came after a better outing — one run in 3⅓ innings — but overall, Stroman allowed 12 earned runs in 12⅔ minor league rehab innings.
While the Yankees had penciled in Sunday’s start as the logical return point, internally the performance gap has led to uncertainty. Stroman last appeared in a Yankees uniform on April 11, lasting just one inning in a 9–1 loss to the San Francisco Giants before being shelved.
Winans’ struggles shift strategy
The Yankees are moving cautiously, in part due to what happened with fellow right-hander Allan Winans. Promoted in mid-June after dominating Triple-A with a 0.90 ERA over nine starts, Winans faltered in his MLB debut. He allowed five hits and four earned runs in 4⅓ innings against the Reds.
That outing prompted a shift in philosophy: Triple-A numbers aren’t the sole ticket anymore.
“Winans and Stroman are the two main guys in the conversation [for this rotation spot],” pitching coach Matt Blake said earlier this week. “We’ll figure out what makes sense from an inventory standpoint.”
The Yankees haven’t ruled out a bullpen game as a fallback strategy, depending on Stroman’s outing.
Stroman’s numbers and narrative
Stroman’s major league results prior to the injury weren’t encouraging. He posted a 6.10 ERA over four starts in April, including two where he failed to reach the fifth inning. His average fastball velocity dropped below 91 mph, and advanced metrics rated his stuff among the least effective in baseball for starters with at least 150 innings dating back to 2024.
Even Stroman seems aware of the stakes. “I’m open to whatever,” he told reporters earlier this month when asked about possibly moving to the bullpen.
It’s a notable tone shift for a veteran who, during spring training, insisted on remaining in a starting role.
“I’m a starter — always have been,” Stroman said then. “That’s where I bring value.”
But in a pitching staff that’s found success despite injuries, value is now being measured by results, not résumé.
Yankees’ rotation strength, depth building
Despite a turbulent June, the Yankees rotation remains one of baseball’s best. Entering Saturday, the unit ranks seventh in MLB with a 3.47 ERA, second in opponent batting average (.219), and second in strikeouts per nine innings (9.33).
Carlos Rodon, Max Fried, and Clarke Schmidt have shouldered the load in the absence of ace Gerrit Cole. Ryan Yarbrough was a steady presence as the fifth starter before an oblique injury sidelined him in late-June.
The depth extends to Triple-A, where Cam Schlittler — the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect per The Athletic — has surged into the conversation. Schlittler owns a 1.69 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 21⅓ innings since being promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier this month. However, Blake and the front office have said Schlittler is not being considered “in the real near term.”
Stroman, meanwhile, is running out of time. His contract includes an $18.5 million vesting option for 2026 that requires 140 innings pitched this season — a benchmark that now seems unlikely.
Trade deadline and roster implications
Sunday’s start comes one month before the July 31 trade deadline. The Yankees are expected to be active buyers, especially for relief help and bench depth, and may need to clear 40-man roster space.
If Stroman struggles again, the Yankees could opt to designate him for assignment, trade him, or shift him to the bullpen — a move that would significantly alter the veteran’s role and future in the Bronx.
Sunday’s stakes
Boone stopped short of saying Stroman was pitching for his job, but acknowledged the situation is fluid.
“Let’s get him through this outing, and we’ll reassess,” Boone said. “We’ll continue to evaluate what the best path forward is.”
The Yankees have not publicly confirmed the rotation plan beyond Sunday. With Stroman’s velocity still down and command inconsistent, his margin for error may be slimmer than ever.
If he performs, the Yankees get a veteran arm back in the mix as they try to hold their lead in the AL East. If not, Sunday may mark the end of Stroman’s tenure in pinstripes — not with a bang, but with a decision quietly looming behind the scenes.
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