The New York Yankees are poised to welcome back veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman from the injured list in the coming days, following his first rehab appearance on Wednesday for Double-A Somerset. However, his return has sparked uncertainty about his role with the team, as Stroman has unexpectedly shifted his stance on pitching out of the bullpen.
Earlier this year, the 34-year-old right-hander made it clear he preferred to remain a starter, firmly rejecting the idea of relief pitching in February. But after his recent rehab outing, Stroman signaled a surprising change of heart. “I’m open to anything,” he told reporters, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. This reversal has left the Yankees’ coaching staff with a strategic dilemma: reinsert Stroman into the starting rotation or deploy him as a reliever.
In his rehab start, Stroman pitched 3 1/3 innings, recording four strikeouts, two walks, one earned run, and one hit. This marked his first competitive action since April 11, when he struggled in his last MLB appearance, lasting just 2/3 of an inning and surrendering five runs against the San Francisco Giants. The following day, he was placed on the 15-day injured list with knee inflammation.
Stroman’s 2025 season has been rocky, with a 11.57 ERA across three starts and seven strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings. Despite his struggles, his willingness to adapt to any role—starter or reliever—offers the Yankees flexibility but complicates their planning. Stroman noted that he and the team have yet to discuss his exact role upon his return, leaving fans and analysts speculating about how the Yankees will utilize the veteran pitcher as they push for a postseason spot.
With Stroman’s return looming, the Yankees face a critical decision: will they lean on his experience as a starter to bolster their rotation, or capitalize on his newfound openness to the bullpen to address relief pitching needs? For now, Stroman’s bold reversal has thrown the team’s strategy into chaos, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in their season.