NEW YORK — Marcus Stroman Prepares for Return to Yankees’ Mound
Marcus Stroman is gearing up to return to the pitcher’s mound for the New York Yankees, asserting that he can now handle the discomfort in his left knee, which has plagued him since an ACL tear a decade ago. “It’s a mental hurdle I choose not to dwell on because fixating on it constantly isn’t healthy,” the 34-year-old pitcher shared on Saturday, a day before his anticipated game against the Athletics.
Stroman hasn’t pitched for the Yankees since a troublesome outing against San Francisco on April 11, where he allowed five runs in less than an inning. Meanwhile, in his rehab stint with Double-A Somerset starting June 11, he recorded a 6.97 ERA, going 0-1. During a recent game on Wednesday against Detroit’s Erie Seawolves, he gave up five runs, 10 hits, and two walks over 3 and 2/3 innings.
“I’m someone who thrives on intensity, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the field,” Stroman expressed. Reflecting on his career, Stroman faced an ACL injury during a 2015 spring training session with Toronto, resulting in surgery. However, displaying resilience, he made a significant comeback by September, securing a win against the Yankees.
Acknowledging Nikki Huffman, his trainer and former Toronto head athletic trainer, Stroman notes her crucial role in helping him manage the ongoing pain. “Dealing with the soreness and mechanically adjusting to reduce knee stress has been a learning process,” Stroman explained. “When my mechanics are more efficient, my knee feels less strain.”
This season, Stroman began with an 11.57 ERA over three starts, and his return is anticipated to bolster a Yankees rotation dealing with the absence of ace Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Ryan Yarbrough due to various injuries. “His command needs to be strong and consistently across the plate, both sides,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone emphasized. “How sharp are his pitches? We need to assess that.”
Last season, Stroman’s performance included a 10-9 record with a 4.31 ERA over 29 starts and one relief stint, covering 154 and 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, he struggled in the latter half and wasn’t part of the postseason when the Yankees advanced to their first World Series since 2009. Manager Boone attributed less meaning to Stroman’s latest minor league appearance due to the intense heat.
Spencer Jones Makes an Impact in Triple-A Debut
In another development, Spencer Jones, newly promoted, made a memorable debut for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by homering during his first at-bat. The towering 6-foot-7, 24-year-old outfielder smacked a solo home run off Worcester’s Tyler Uberstine, launching a full-count, low-and-inside sinker 397 feet into center field, clocking in at 109.9 mph.
In his Triple-A game, Jones went 1 for 5, contributing to the RailRiders’ 4-2 victory despite two strikeouts. Previously, he hit .270 with 16 home runs, 32 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and a .984 OPS at Double-A Somerset, albeit with 70 strikeouts over 175 at-bats. “His potential is undeniable,” Boone remarked. “The combination of speed, power, and athletic ability is impressive. There’s room for improvement, but once mastered, the outcome could be remarkable.”