In West Sacramento, California, the New York Yankees are facing a hurdle with pitcher Marcus Stroman, who encounters issues in his comeback from a left knee injury thatโs kept him off the field for about a month. Yankeesโ manager Aaron Boone reported that Stroman continues to experience discomfort following a live batting practice session in Tampa, Florida. This means Stroman will need reevaluation before the team can chart the course for his recovery and return to play.
Boone remarked on Sunday that despite receiving numerous treatments, Stroman hasnโt quite managed to overcome the last hurdle preventing him from advancing his performance levels on the mound. โWeโre working to thoroughly understand the complexity of the situation and prioritize his recovery,โ Boone emphasized.
Stroman last took the mound on April 11 against the San Francisco Giants, where he conceded five runs in just two-thirds of an inning. The following day, he was placed on the 15-day injured list, with initial hopes for a brief time-out. However, Stroman remains sidelined with no definitive timeline for getting back in the game. Boone mentioned that the injury likely influenced Stromanโs performances before he was benched, as he recorded an 11.57 ERA across three outings.
Boone noted that Stroman, akin to a finely-tuned race car, needs everything in precision to deliver an optimum performance. The inability to effectively use his front side in his last start considerably affected his gameplay. Efforts remain focused on restoring his skills to the required standard.
Stromanโs left knee issues trace back to a prior surgery in 2015 for repairing a torn ACL. The pitcher rejoined major league action later that year in September. This season marks the second year of Stromanโs two-year contract, which guarantees $37 million. Additionally, thereโs a conditional player option for 2026 worth $16 million, contingent upon Stroman pitching at least 140 innings this year.
Last year, the 34-year-old pitcher chalked up a 10-9 record with a 4.31 ERA over 30 games (29 starts), covering 154 2/3 inningsโthe highest since his stint with the Mets in 2021. However, Stromanโs post-mid-season performance tapered off, leading to his absence in the postseason where the Yankees reached their first World Series after more than a decade.
On another note about injuries, DJ LeMahieu appeared for the second consecutive day in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boasting a possibility to join the Yankees in Seattle within the week, LeMahieu, who recently got a cortisone shot in his right hip, plans to make his season debut soon. His hip troubles date back to the previous year.