Marcus Stroman’s challenging season took another turn on Tuesday as the right-hander struggled during his latest rehabilitation start. Facing the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Stroman surrendered five runs on 10 hits in just 3.2 innings, throwing 65 pitches with 41 of them for strikes. This performance could mark his final tune-up before rejoining the New York Yankees’ rotation.
The 34-year-old pitcher previously showed promise in his start last Wednesday for Somerset, where he retired the first 10 batters he faced and allowed only two runs in 3.1 innings. However, this inconsistency has been a hallmark of his rehab stint, which began after he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation on April 12. So far this season, Stroman has not recorded a win, posting a disappointing 11.57 ERA across three outings for the Yankees.
Stroman’s recent outing included only one strikeout against two walks, with his pitching velocity hovering around 89 mph. After the Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, indicated prior to the game that Stroman would “be in the mix” to rejoin the team, decision-makers within the organization will need to weigh this latest performance against their plans moving forward.
In terms of Stroman’s potential role, the Yankees are grappling with rotation challenges. Despite posting one of the lowest team ERA’s in the league at 3.51, they have seen their lead in the American League East dwindle to just one game over the Tampa Bay Rays. Current starters include Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Will Warren, with Stroman potentially taking over for Allan Winans, who made his Yankees debut but struggled in a recent game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Stroman’s contract—a two-year, $37 million agreement signed in January—also features an $18 million vesting option for 2026, contingent on him pitching 140 innings this season. However, his ongoing injury struggles have placed that target out of reach.
Despite the challenges, there remains a sliver of hope. If Stroman can regain his form, he has the potential to contribute significantly to the Yankees’ rotation and help the team solidify their position in the playoff race. The Yankees, with their talented lineup and a solid starting rotation when healthy, still have opportunities ahead to make a strong second-half push.