Marcus

Stroman

Olney noted that, if Stroman “throws 140 innings in 2025, he’ll have a player option to make $18.3 million next year.” Considering Justin Verlander just signed a one-year deal for $15 million and Martin Perez signed a one-year deal for $5 million, $18.3 million is a lot of money for a 33-year-old pitcher (34 in 2026) who is coming off a year where he posted a 4.31 ERA and just 131 strikeouts in 154 2/3 innings. That could mean that the Yankees may find it difficult to land a deal for Stroman even if they are willing to eat a significant chunk of his salary.

Stroman is due $18 million in 2025, and it’s likely the Yankees will need to eat a good amount of that salary in order to get him off the roster. The right-hander doesn’t appear to have a spot in the current rotation, and struggled to a 4.31 ERA and 131/60 K/BB over 154 2/3 innings in his first — and very possibly last —season with the Yankees. Stroman has obviously had success in his career, so it won’t be a surprise if someone takes a chance on him assuming the cost is minimal both financially and in the return.

The Yankees only went with 11 pitchers for the ALDS, but they will add Stroman back as another starting pitcher option for a best-of-seven series. Outfielder Duke Ellis will be left off the roster to make room for Stroman.

Marcus Stroman and Mark Leiter Jr. are absent, as the Yankees have chosen to go with 11 pitches. That opens up an extra spot on offense for Duke Ellis to serve as a pinch-runner. Ben Rice is also on the roster in place of Anthony Rizzo. DJ LeMahieu was not activated.

There wasn’t one moment of peace for Stroman in this game. The Orioles greeted him with six straight singles before recording an out and wound up with 12 hard-hit balls off Stroman on only 18 total balls in play. Of course, the Yankees’ defense wasn’t stout, but Stroman had nothing working here. He’s had a disappointing first season in the Bronx and his spot in their playoff rotation and beyond could come into question after his ugly 6.02 ERA in the second half.

This doesn’t seem good. Cortes has yet to be scratched from tonight’s start, but we’re assuming that’s on the way. Cody Poteet reportedly has joined the Yankees and could be activated. Marcus Stroman hasn’t pitched in eight days, so he can provide innings tonight. Clayton Beeter also hasn’t pitched since being called up.

Stroman’s previous save came in the last outing of his rookie season in 2014. This one saw him finish up an 11-2 game in his first relief appearance of the season. The Yankees could have him make another start sometime next week, but it’s clear he’s not currently in their postseason rotation plans.

Stroman might be the Yankees rotation’s weakest link at the moment, even though he’s been perfectly respectable in going 10-8 with a 4.07 ERA to date. Since the Yankees are using six starters this time through and have next Monday off, Stroman figures to go a week between starts. On the plus side, that means he’ll be facing the Mariners in Seattle, making him a better play than he would have been against the Red Sox this weekend.

With his velocity down and his strikeout and groundball rates both on pace to establish new career lows, it’s quite impressive that Stroman has kept it together as well as he has. The Rangers, though, handled everything well tonight, racking up nine hits against him. Stroman dropped to 10-7 with a 4.03 ERA. Kansas City is on deck for him.

Stroman scattered nine hits tonight. He gave up 11 hard-hit balls, but only one went for an extra-base hit and it was a double. It’s the first time he’s completed seven innings since May 31. Stroman is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his last four starts. He might be worth considering in mixed leagues again, but we’d remain wary. He’ll likely face the Rangers in Texas next.