The New York Yankees have opted to keep Marcus Stroman in the bullpen for the next turn through the rotation, manager Aaron Boone confirmed.
Though Marcus Stroman was initially unavailable, he was called into action in the seventh inning with the game still ongoing. This bullpen shift gives Boone flexibility as the Yankees approach the postseason with a strong starting rotation led by Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Nestor Cortes. Boone emphasized that Stroman’s performance in relief will be closely monitored, and there’s a possibility he could return to the rotation based on how things unfold in the coming games.
Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe, struggling with a 4-for-37 slump in his last 11 games, is getting the night off, with Oswaldo Cabrera starting at shortstop. Boone hopes this adjustment will give Volpe a breather while maximizing left-handed bats against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo.
This series is key for both teams, with the Yankees aiming to solidify their spot at the top of the AL standings and the Mariners battling to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Yankees turn to bullpen depth as postseason nears
With Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Nestor Cortes anchoring the rotation, the Yankees are turning to Marcus Stroman in a relief role as they approach the postseason.
The move comes after a difficult September for Marcus Stroman, who has struggled with an 0-2 record and an 8.00 ERA this month. Despite these setbacks, Boone expressed confidence that Stroman could still contribute effectively out of the bullpen, utilizing his ability to mix pitches in shorter outings.
Marcus Stroman’s struggles and the bullpen move
Marcus Stroman, 32, has recorded a 10-8 record over 148.1 innings this season, with 109 strikeouts and 60 walks. However, his recent form has been a concern, as he’s allowed 21 earned runs in his last seven starts, spanning 34.2 innings. The Yankees’ decision to move Stroman to the bullpen reflects both his struggles and the team’s pitching depth, as they look to bolster their postseason chances.
Currently working with a six-man rotation, Boone suggested the Yankees may soon revert to a traditional five-man setup. Stroman’s move to the bullpen provides added flexibility as Boone aims to solidify his pitching options in the final weeks of the season.
Boone indicated that Marcus Stroman’s relief performance will be closely monitored, and there’s a possibility of returning to the rotation based on the performance of other starters. His success in shorter stints could be a valuable asset, especially in critical matchups where bullpen depth is essential.
Critical series against Mariners begins
Tuesday night’s game, scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET, kicked off an important series for both teams. The Yankees are aiming to maintain their grip on the top spot in the American League standings, while the Mariners fight to keep their postseason hopes alive. While Marcus Stroman wasn’t available to start the game, the Yankees gave him time out of the bullpen as they continue to adjust their pitching strategy.
Marcus Stroman’s shift to the bullpen highlights the Yankees’ pitching depth, a key strength as the postseason approaches. For Stroman, it’s an opportunity to reset and possibly regain his form, providing the Yankees with another crucial weapon for their playoff push.
Meanwhile, shortstop Anthony Volpe got a day off for Tuesday’s game. Oswaldo Cabrera took over at shortstop, as Boone looks to keep his utility player sharp and maximize left-handed bats against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Though Volpe has been a regular in the lineup, his recent struggles at the plate—going 4-for-37 with 12 strikeouts in his last 11 games—prompted Boone to give him a rest. Boone remains confident that Volpe will work through his offensive inconsistencies and return to form as the Yankees prepare for the postseason.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Making him unavailable tonight if Gil doesn’t have it, makes zero baseball sense. Oops, I forgot, Yankees run on analytics, not baseball.