Marcus Stroman, the New York Yankees’ veteran right-hander, took a significant step in his recovery on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, facing hitters for the first time in three weeks. Sidelined since April 12 with left knee inflammation, Stroman’s return to live batting practice marks a pivotal moment in his rehabilitation, though his immediate future with the team remains uncertain.
Stroman, who last threw live batting practice on May 9 in Tampa, experienced discomfort during that session, which limited him to bullpen work every few days since. On Saturday, he threw approximately 30 pitches, simulating two innings. Manager Aaron Boone was encouraged by the outing, noting, “Stro looked sharp. I liked what I saw. … I thought his stuff looked good.” How Stroman’s knee responds to this increased activity will dictate the next steps in his recovery, with Boone indicating that the team has yet to determine the precise path forward.
The 34-year-old pitcher’s last game appearance was a rough outing on April 11 against the San Francisco Giants, where he surrendered five runs in just ²/₃ of an inning. His knee issues surfaced later that night, leading to his placement on the injured list. Despite progressing to facing hitters in Tampa on May 9, a flare-up in his knee set him back, with Boone describing the issue as “minor, but lingering.” The Yankees are now cautiously optimistic, awaiting further evaluation to see if Stroman can avoid additional setbacks.
Even as Stroman nears a return, his role with the Yankees remains unclear. Boone has previously stated that the team plans to build Stroman up as a starter, despite the pitcher’s firm stance during spring training that he would not pitch out of the bullpen. However, the Yankees’ rotation is currently firing on all cylinders, with Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Will Warren, and Ryan Yarbrough performing strongly. Yarbrough, initially a reliever this season, has been particularly effective in his four starts since replacing Carlos Carrasco, who was designated for assignment.
The Yankees’ rotation has been a force, boasting a major league-best 2.54 ERA over their last 40 games since April 14. In that span, they’ve allowed three or fewer earned runs in 35 starts, two or fewer in 31 starts, and one or zero in 22 starts. Fried, despite a rare off-night on Friday where he allowed six runs in five-plus innings, had been a standout with a 1.29 ERA prior to that game. Rodón, Warren, and Yarbrough have also stepped up, stabilizing the rotation in the absence of Stroman, Luis Gil, and Gerrit Cole, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Stroman’s extended time on the injured list has likely cost him the chance to reach 140 innings this season, a threshold that would have triggered an $18 million vesting option for 2026. This development could make him a more attractive trade candidate once healthy, as his contract situation becomes less certain. However, the Yankees’ limited starting pitching depth in the minors—coupled with Gil’s ongoing recovery from a high-grade lat strain, which has him only recently back on the mound and likely not returning until after the All-Star break—means Stroman could still play a critical role if an injury opens a spot in the rotation.
As the Yankees await further clarity on Stroman’s recovery, his potential return looms large. Could the veteran pitcher, known for his competitive fire and unique delivery, emerge as a “blockbuster” addition to a rotation already performing at an elite level? For now, the team is focused on ensuring his knee can handle the demands of a big-league workload, with the hope that Stroman’s next steps bring him closer to reclaiming his spot on the mound