Marcus Stroman made a remarkable return to the Yankees both on the field and in the clubhouse, bringing his unique spirit back to the team. Coming back from a knee injury that kept him away for over two months, the veteran right-hander reignited his pregame ritual by lighting a lavender-scented candle in his locker, setting the ambiance before hitting the mound on Sunday.
In a successful outing, Stroman gave up just one run and three hits across five innings, contributing to the Yankees’ 12-5 triumph over the Athletics. Expressing delight at being back, Stroman acknowledged the difficulty of being sidelined, saying, “It feels isolating, so it’s definitely good to reconnect with the team.”
Standing at 5-foot-7, Stroman is one of Major League Baseball’s more distinct figures. Next to his lavender candle was an insightful selection of books, including works by Osho, Marcus Aurelius, and Don Miguel Ruiz, displaying his penchant for blending personal focus with athletic performance.
His previous appearance for the Yankees was back on April 11, when he faced an early exit after just one inning against San Francisco, during which he gave up five runs. A cortisone injection helped guide his recovery from the left knee inflammation, itself a consequence of a prior ACL tear in 2015.
Known for his determination, Stroman’s history of resilience includes bouncing back from an ACL tear during a fielding drill in Toronto. He began rehabilitation in minor leagues by September, making a major league return later that month. He remarked on his recovery journey, “I don’t entertain doubt. I’ve pushed past worse and knew I’d return; it was just a matter of time.”
Currently, Stroman’s pitching arsenal doesn’t rely heavily on speed, with his four-seam fastball averaging a velocity of 89.8 mph. His return is timely for the Yankees, who are without key pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Ryan Yarbrough due to various injuries.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Stroman’s versatility on the mound, noting, “He was unpredictable. Used his sinker, cutter, and breaking balls effectively and attacked the zone decisively when needed.”
Stroman faced a tense moment in the second inning when Max Muncy hit a 97.2 mph line drive off his right hamstring. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “It was painful, but I didn’t think I needed to come out—adrenaline helps with that.”