Yankees release Marcus Stroman after flurry of moves
Marcus Stroman of the Yankees looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
MIAMI — The Stro Show is no more.
At least the Yankees’ version.
Marcus Stroman’s mostly forgettable tenure with the Yankees came to an end Friday afternoon when the club — needing to create roster openings after a flurry of trade deadline-day activity on Thursday and reiterating its belief in hard-throwing rookie righthander Cam Schlittler — released Stroman after 1 ½ seasons.
Stroman, 34, who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees in January 2024, went 3-2 with a 6.23 ERA in nine starts this season. The righthander, who landed on the injured list April 12 with left knee inflammation, had merely been OK since being activated on June 29, going 3-1 but with a 4.55 ERA during that stretch.
The former Patchogue-Medford High School star did pick up a victory in his final start with the Yankees on Thursday, allowing four runs and six hits in five innings in the Yankees’ 7-4 win over the Rays. Stroman concluded his Yankees tenure with a 13-11 record and a 4.69 ERA in 39 games (38 starts).
“Obviously, that was tough today,” Aaron Boone said of his conversation on Friday with Stroman, who he said handled the news like a “pro.”
“He’s an awesome competitor. But yeah, I think it’s a case of we feel like [Will] Warren and Schlittler are ready to be in the rotation full-time, and just felt like with some more moves probably coming over the next few days at least, felt like the timing was right.”
General manager Brian Cashman, who secured relievers David Bednar, Jake Bird and Camilo Doval in trades on Thursday, aggressively tried to add depth to his rotation before the deadline and was unsuccessful.
But with reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil — who started the season on the injured list with a right lat strain — slated to rejoin the rotation against the Marlins on Sunday, it would have been either Stroman or Schlittler coming out of the rotation. The Yankees clearly desired to see more of Schlittler, 24, who despite pitching to a 4.91 ERA has tantalized with his high-90s fastball that occasionally reaches 100 mph. Schlittler is slated to start Saturday afternoon’s game against the Marlins.
“[Rotation] depth is a little bit of an issue for us,” Boone said. “I feel really good about our five guys we’re rolling out there, but not a ton of depth now.”
In addition to the bullpen reinforcements, Cashman brought in third baseman Ryan McMahon, utility players Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero and outfielder Austin Slater.
“I think Cash and everyone in the front office did a great job of putting us in a better place today,” Boone said. “I feel like we have a team capable of going to chase it down now. We get to take our shot, and it’s on us to go out and do it now.”
Much of the organization’s excitement from Thursday revolved around the bullpen moves because the unit had been such a mess for roughly the last two months, including an ERA over 6 since July 1.
Before the additions of Doval, Bird and Bednar, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill and Devin Williams, who Boone said on Friday will stay in the closer’s role, were the most trustworthy options.
At least at the start, the deployment of the other arms will be game situation-specific. And that is just fine with the newcomers.
“I’m going to be ready for whatever inning,” said Doval, a righthander who had 15 saves in 19 chances with the Giants this season and has a fastball that sits at around 98 mph and has been clocked at 104.5 mph. “Once the team gives me the ball, I’m going to be ready to pitch that inning.”
Bednar, who had 17 saves this season for the cellar-dwelling Pirates, echoed Doval.
“My motto has always been whenever the phone rings, I’ll be ready to go and get outs,” said Bednar, who was a two-time All-Star (2022, 2023) in his five seasons with Pittsburgh. “That’s kind of how I’m going to approach this now.”
Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.
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