TAMPA — Marcus Stroman has returned to Yankees camp.
The righty reported on time for a compulsory bodily on Tuesday however didn’t take part in official, on-field exercises at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline on Wednesday and Thursday. Whereas the collective bargaining settlement states gamers don’t must take part in exercises till Feb. 22, Stroman’s absence sparked questions after an offseason of commerce rumors.
“I’m early, technically,” Stroman mentioned Friday morning. “At this stage in my career, I put a priority on getting my body ready. I don’t think there was a need for me to be here the last few days, given the climate. I talked to [Aaron Boone]. We had a great conversation. Everything’s honestly perfect and seamless, and my relationship with the guys in the clubhouse hasn’t changed. So I feel great to be back and I’m ready to roll.”
Stroman declined to elaborate on what he meant by “climate,” however he’s not a projected member of the Yankees’ rotation with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt all forward of him on the depth chart.
“We’ll see how it plays out. I’m a starter,” Stroman mentioned, repeating the latter line a number of instances.
He mentioned that sentence was not a press release — he has been a starter his entire profession, in spite of everything — however Stroman additionally added, “I won’t pitch in the bullpen.”
When requested about Stroman’s insistence on beginning, Boone, “glad” to have the pitcher again, famous the date.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” the supervisor mentioned. “It’s Feb. 14. So you’re getting way ahead of this thing. We’re getting him ready. We’re building him up to be a starting pitcher. That’s so far out there. We’ll obviously address anything we have to once we get into certain situations. But right now, the focus is getting him ready to go.”
Stroman additionally referenced the vacation when requested why he selected to report Friday as a substitute of ready till Feb. 22.
“Just felt like today was a good day to come,” the 33-year-old mentioned. “Valentine’s Day, feel like the vibes are gonna be proper. Everyone’s happy on this day, so I felt like it was a good day to come.”
Stroman will not be comfortable, nonetheless, if he doesn’t find yourself within the Yankees’ rotation.
Accidents can all the time pop up throughout spring coaching, and Stroman could be subsequent in line in such a situation. However Boone mentioned he doesn’t see himself utilizing a six-man rotation, although he did throw in a caveat: “Never say never.”
“I’m focused on today,” Stroman mentioned, as so much can occur between now and Opening Day.
The Bombers have made makes an attempt to commerce Stroman because the offseason started, however his $18 million wage has confirmed prohibitive. He additionally has a 2026 choice that may vest if he throws 140 innings this season, and the remaining availability of some free agent starters means groups produce other choices.
When requested concerning the commerce rumors which have adopted him for months, Stroman mentioned he’s “detached” within the offseason, although he did acknowledge them on social media in December.
“I’m so grounded at this point, nothing can really faze me,” Stroman mentioned, including that his relationship with Boone and Brian Cashman is ideal. “I know who I am as a pitcher. I can compete at any level with any team, and if I’m here, if I’m not here, my body’s ready to roll. I’m ready to go out there and get 30-plus starts.”
Requested if he needs to stay with the Yankees, Stroman mentioned, “I’m good wherever I may be,” earlier than sharing how a lot he loves his teammates. His friends, together with Gil, Schmidt and Cole, have talked about him in an identical method.
Stroman has been throwing and dealing with hitters. Boone mentioned he was scheduled for a bullpen on Saturday.
“I can go seven [innings] right now,” Stroman mentioned.
Stroman’s return to camp additionally marked the return of some normalcy for him, as he mentioned he had a “tough offseason” and spent numerous time with household after shedding his residence in Malibu to the latest fires that ravaged the realm. He additionally pleaded for donations to The Help League of Los Angeles, which has been serving to these affected by the fires.
“I was out there for the first part of it, and then had to evacuate, had to evacuate my family,” mentioned Stroman, who additionally has a house close to the Yankees’ advanced in Tampa. “I don’t even want to talk about it because I’m gonna get emotional. That’s my second home out there. I spend a lot of time out there. Me and my son, our main meeting point is Palisades, so I spend a lot of time in Pacific Palisades, Malibu. That’s like my home-home. My home is completely gone.”
Added Boone: “Getting to experience Stro in a full season last year, he was a pro. He’s someone that I got a lot of love and respect for. So of course you feel for those kinds of things.”
Stroman is coming off a disappointing debut season within the Bronx.
The Lengthy Island native bought off on the precise foot in 2024, recording a 2.60 ERA over his first 12 begins. Then he logged a 5.70 ERA over his final 18 video games. That span included a bumped begin and a demotion to the bullpen. Stroman completed the 12 months with a 4.31 ERA over 154.2 innings.
Stroman’s transfer to the bullpen solely featured one look, a three-inning save on Sept. 17.
He didn’t pitch in any playoff video games, both, regardless of making the Yankees’ World Sequence and ALCS rosters.
“Playoffs, there’s different roles that call for you to be in different circumstances,” Stroman mentioned when requested if he was sad together with his utilization on the finish of final season. “I was completely fine with that.
“But overall, I’m a starter. I’ve been doing this 10-plus years.”
