The Yankees are moving Marcus Stroman in the bullpen, at least for now. Stroman was supposed to make his next start on Sunday against the Red Sox, but manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Brendan Kuty of The Athletic) that the Yankees plan to skip Stroman’s rotation. Instead, the right-hander will be available out of the bullpen.
Boone has had six healthy starting pitchers since the Yankees were reinstated Luis Gil And Clarke Schmidt from the injury list last weekend. First, it was Nestor Cortes who lost his spot in the rotation; he was scheduled to start last Saturday, but instead he piggybacked relief pitcher for Schmidt. However, Cortes returned to the rotation last night, throwing five innings with one run against Boston. Boone says Cortes will remain in the rotation for at least his next start (per ESPN’s Jorge Castillo).
That leaves Stroman as the odd man out this time around. Boone suggests the Yankees could stick with a five-man lineup next time they play rotation (per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com), which likely means more time in the bullpen for Stroman. This is certainly a disappointment for the veteran, who definitely planned to be a full-time starter — and hopefully start in the postseason — when he signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees last offseason. However, given his performance this year, the Yankees’ decision shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.
On the surface, Stroman had a typical start to 2024. Through the All-Star break, he was 7-4 with a 3.51 ERA. But his underlying numbers were concerning, including a low strikeout rate (17.4%), a high walk rate (10.5%), a high home run rate (1.29 HR/9), and a career-low 4.94 SIERA. His opponents posted an expected wOBA of .330, well above the league average of .315 this season.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder Stroman’s ERA has risen dramatically in the second half. He’s allowed 29 runs (26 earned) in 43 1/3 innings, for a 5.40 ERA. Although he’s improved his control (6.7% walk rate) and gotten his home runs under control (0.62 HR/9), he’s struck out just 31 of the 195 batters he’s faced (15.9% strikeout rate). His 4.48 SIERA represents an improvement over the first half, but is still bad. Additionally, Stroman’s expected wOBA has only gotten worse. He’s one of 92 pitchers to throw at least 750 pitches since the All-Star break. In that group, his xwOBA of .362 ranks last.
Stroman was solid in his last game, throwing 5 1/3 and allowing three earned runs against the Royals. However, he lasted just 3 2/3 and allowed five runs on nine hits in the game before that against the Rangers. All in all, Stroman isn’t having a bad season, but simply put, the Yankees have five other starting pitchers who give them a better chance of winning games right now.
Reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is a secure spot at the top of the rotation while Gil is enjoying a stellar rookie season. Schmidt had his own breakout season before going on the IL in late May, and he looked just as good in his return last weekend. Carlos Rodon has had his ups and downs this year, but he has top pedigree and strong second-half numbers (3.33 ERA, 3.17 SIERA). Finally, Cortes has had his own ups and downs this season, but his overall numbers are stronger than Stroman’s, and Cortes has looked particularly good in his last two outings (1 ER, 12 K, 9 1/3 IP).
Funnily enough, Yankees GM Brian Cashman claimed in 2019 that he didn’t sign Stroman at the deadline that year because he “felt (Stroman) was going to be in the bullpen in the postseason.” The right-hander seemed to take those comments personally, and Cashman eventually apologized to him during negotiations last winter (per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press). However, Stroman reportedly took the news that he would be moving to the bullpen with grace (per Hoch). According to Boone, Stroman will “be ready” in whatever role the team ends up needing him.
