NEW YORK — In a surprising move, the New York Yankees released veteran right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman on Friday, one day after the MLB trade deadline.
The move was made to make room for the new relievers the Yankees acquired, including David Bednar and Camilo Doval, who were added to the active roster.
Stroman’s Struggles with the Yankees
Stroman, 34, had a 6.23 ERA in nine starts this season. He struggled with injuries, including a knee issue that kept him sidelined from mid-April to late June. Though Stroman showed slight improvement in his six starts after returning, his ERA remained high at 4.55, and he averaged less than five innings per start.
The Yankees signed Stroman to a two-year, $37 million deal in the offseason, which included an $18 million option for 2026.
However, due to his knee injury, Stroman was unlikely to reach the threshold to activate that option. The Yankees are on the hook for his $18 million salary for the remainder of this season.
Stroman’s Journey and Departure
Earlier this year, Stroman was vocal about his desire to stay in the starting rotation, even after there was talk of him being moved to the bullpen. Gerrit Cole’s Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil’s lat strain opened a spot in the rotation for Stroman, and he began the season as a starter.
However, with the Yankees’ struggles to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, Stroman’s release came after the team added several key relievers.
This move signals that the Yankees are shifting focus to rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler, who has had a solid start to his MLB career with a 4.91 ERA in his first three major league appearances.
Yankees’ Rotation Depth
With Stroman out, the Yankees’ starting rotation now includes:
RHP Gerrit Cole (recovering from Tommy John surgery)
LHP Max Fried
LHP Carlos Rodón
RHP Luis Gil (coming off a rehab assignment)
RHP Clarke Schmidt (also recovering from surgery)
RHP Will Warren
LHP Ryan Yarbrough (out with an oblique strain)
RHP Cam Schlittler
RHP Allan Winans
Luis Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, will make his season debut on Sunday, taking over Stroman’s spot in the rotation.
Trade Deadline and Changes to the Team
The Yankees were actively looking for starting pitching at the trade deadline, with rumors linking them to several top names, including Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly. However, they were unable to secure a starter.
Instead, they made five trades on Thursday and a total of eight trades in the past week to overhaul their bench and bullpen.
GM Brian Cashman spoke to reporters after the trade deadline, saying, “We certainly knocked on many doors regarding potential starting pitching, but obviously we weren’t able to match up in that category.”
Stroman’s Yankees Legacy
Stroman’s time with the Yankees wasn’t as successful as hoped. Over 38 starts and one relief appearance, he posted a 4.69 ERA.
While he was part of the 2023 ALCS and World Series rosters, he didn’t make an appearance in the postseason. Stroman’s 136 ⅔ innings last season were much better, with a 3.95 ERA.
Although his Yankees career didn’t go as planned, Stroman’s experience and talent make him likely to find a new team soon, especially with pitching in short supply across MLB.
Yankees’ Playoff Hopes
Despite the struggles of June and July, the Yankees have won three straight and 12 of their last 20 games, improving their record to 60-49. They are 3 ½ games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and currently hold a top wild card spot.
