Marcus Stroman Reports to Yankees camp and had his physical but that is all he is done so far this spring training. The pitcher, who has been linked to offseason trades and is an outlier in the Yankees’ rotation, has missed two formal on-field exercises since reporting. In the Yankees’ clubhouse on Friday morning, teammates welcomed veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman back to camp after a two-day hiatus due to circulating trade rumors with backslaps and embraces.
Stroman was listed as one of the pitchers who were supposed to stretch and toss on a side field at GMS on Thursday morning, but he was not to be spotted for the second consecutive day. When asked about Stroman’s location, pitching coach Matt Blake replied, “He is in Tampa.” “He is present.” Although Stroman lives in Tampa, the collective labor agreement states that he is not required to attend workouts until February 22. Brodie Van Wagenen, Stroman’s agent, informed the Yankees that his client will not be showing up for workouts immediately, according to Erik Boland of Newsday.
Marcus Stroman Reports to Yankees Camp
Considering that his teammates had already arrived and that there had been prior trade rumors, Marcus Stroman’s absence at Yankees Spring Training was notable, even if he had until next week to report. The 33-year-old stated that he will not pitch out of the bullpen when he formally reported on February 14.
After the other members of the team started training in Florida, Marcus Stroman formally reported to Yankees camp on the 14th. Earlier this week, Stroman showed up for his physical, but he did nothing. The right-hander’s name had been mentioned in trade speculations throughout the winter. The Yankees made one major starting change, removing lefty Nestor Cortes in favor of Devin Williams.
Making trades In addition to providing financial assistance to a team that is anticipated to surpass the luxury tax threshold (the Yankees have around $293MM in tax obligations, Stroman would have ensured him a rotation spot someplace. Stroman, on the other hand, has a $18MM player option for 2026 that vests, as well as a $18MM commitment for 2025. Stroman must hit 140 innings this season for it to vest.
Firm on Starting Role
Stroman also disclosed that he had a lot to cope with over the winter, including losing his Malibu house to flames in California. The Yankees have not disclosed the pitcher’s position, but left-hander Max Fried completed the rotation this summer. Despite the fact that Stroman owed the Yankees $18.5 million this season and had a 4.31 ERA in 2024, it appears that the Yankees were trying to move him. “This season, I want to be a starter,” Stroman said on Friday.
Stroman, on the other hand, is convinced that he will pitch in the Yankees’ rotation rather than the bullpen this season. “I am a starter.” I will not pitch in the bullpen. On February 14, Stroman informed reporters, “I am a starter. Despite the fact that the rotation is currently full, Stroman may be included on Opening Day.
Stroman won’t pitch out of bullpen
Stroman’s offseason was difficult, he said he lost his Malibu house in last month’s Southern California wildfires. Professionally, he has been the subject of persistent trade speculations, with the Yankees hoping to move their sixth starter’s $18.5 million payroll a year after signing him.
Stroman arrived in camp on Tuesday for his physical, but he elected not to participate in exercises the following two days. Despite the fact that all other Yankee pitchers and catchers reported as planned on Wednesday and Thursday, Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement states that players must report to spring training on February 22. While Stroman was in his first season with the Yankees, he was present from the beginning of camp last year.
Stroman stated that he is “quite distant” during the offseason and learnt about the trade talk from his mother and others around him. He insisted that the reports did not bother him. Gerrit Cole had an elbow ailment that kept him on the disabled list until June of last year, putting the Yankees’ starting pitching depth to the test.
Stroman was among the Yankees catchers and pitchers that reported to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday. Stroman also had to undergo a required physical on that day. After that, Stroman missed the first two workouts, which featured live hitting drills led by Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole. According to Stroman, he has been taking on batters by himself and has developed his stamina.