Stroman-Yankees separation talks intensify amid escalating mound troubles

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The New York Yankees’ pitching staff absorbed another potential blow Friday night when right-hander Marcus Stroman departed after recording just two outs in a rain-shortened 9-1 drubbing by the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium. Following a disastrous first inning where he surrendered five earned runs on four hits and three walks while throwing 46 pitches, Stroman reported discomfort in his left knee to the team’s medical personnel.

Injury compounds rotation woes

The situation couldn’t have materialized at a worse moment. With frontline starter Gerrit Cole already sidelined following Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil still working through a lat injury, the Yankees find themselves with dwindling options. Stroman, who entered the rotation more out of necessity than performance merit, has now compiled a staggering 11.57 ERA across his first three outings. Regardless of his injury’s severity, his effectiveness has reached an untenable level for a franchise with championship aspirations.

Boone said that Stroman was clearly uncomfortable. He noted that the mound didn’t look good, and Stroman seemed to be trying to find his footing even before the runs started piling up.

Medical staff administered X-rays at the stadium before Stroman was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation. While Boone avoided speculation about the injury’s extent, he acknowledged mounting concern regarding the pitcher’s viability moving forward.

Critical stretch without recovery days

Friday marked the beginning of a demanding 13-game sequence without scheduled rest for the Yankees, and with Stroman’s availability now questionable, pressure intensifies throughout the organization. Clarke Schmidt is projected to rejoin the rotation from injury early next week, but until then, the club must rely on struggling arms like Will Warren (6.00 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (7.71 ERA) to navigate this crucial period.

Since June 1, 2024, no pitcher with at least 90 innings logged has posted a worse ERA than Stroman’s 6.38 mark. According to analysis from The Athletic, his “Stuff+” metrics—which evaluate the physical qualities of his pitches—rank among MLB’s lowest performers, meaning Stroman requires exceptional location precision to prevent hard contact. Thus far, that precision has been notably absent.

Command issues vs. performance results

During Friday’s first inning, catcher Austin Wells established position low and away for a sinker. Instead, Stroman delivered an 89.4 mph offering over the plate’s center that Jung Hoo Lee hammered for a three-run homer. Two batters later, another misplaced fastball resulted in LaMonte Wade Jr.’s two-run double.

Despite the ugly numbers, Boone defended Stroman’s command. “You watch the game and he’s nailing the glove,” Boone said. “We probably could make some adjustments there. We got to keep working at it with everyone that we have.”

Behind closed doors, however, confidence appears to be diminishing. Stroman remained inactive during the 2024 postseason, and reports indicate the Yankees explored trading him during the offseason without finding suitable partners. His two-year, $37 million contract, which contains an $18 million vesting option for 2026 that activates upon reaching 140 innings, has rapidly transformed into a financial burden. The front office will likely implement strategies to keep him below that threshold.

Yankees’ path forward

The organization may soon need to place Stroman on the injured list, regardless of his knee issue’s seriousness. Such a move would provide breathing room and potentially shield the team from further damage while Schmidt reintegrates into the rotation.

However, this wouldn’t resolve all concerns. Even with Schmidt’s anticipated return, rotation members beyond Max Fried have struggled consistently. Non-Fried Yankees starters have collectively produced a concerning 7.23 ERA across 47 1/3 innings. Carlos Rodón, signed to complement Cole atop the rotation, has delivered inconsistent performances at best.

Yankees president Brian Cashman may find himself forced to explore external reinforcements earlier than anticipated. While the trade market typically doesn’t accelerate until June or July, New York’s situation might not permit such patience.

Stroman’s future uncertain

During spring training, Stroman expressed firm resistance to any bullpen assignment. However, given his ineffective outings and potential injury complications, the Yankees may have limited alternatives besides temporarily removing him from active duty.

As Boone remarked after the game, “It’s less margin for error.” This observation now extends beyond Stroman’s mechanical issues to encompass the Yankees’ comprehensive pitching strategy.

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