The New York Yankees are experiencing a positive dilemma: their active roster now boasts an abundance of healthy starting pitchers. With six pitchers who are all capable of starting, the Yankees have made a noteworthy roster change, moving Marcus Stroman to the bullpen.
As the postseason approaches in just a few weeks, the Yankees are at full strength with their starting pitching, thanks to several key players returning from injuries. The rotation now includes right-handers Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, along with left-handers Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes. Given this depth, Yankees management decided to shift Stroman to a bullpen role.
Stroman’s Recent Performance Challenges
Stroman, an essential member of the Yankees’ pitching staff, has played a crucial role in the team’s current success. This season, he has a 10-8 record with 148 1/3 innings pitched, 109 strikeouts, and 60 walks. However, his ERA has risen to 4.07, and his performance has notably faltered in September.
During September, Stroman has struggled with a 0-2 record and a troubling 8.00 ERA, allowing 16 hits and eight earned runs in just nine innings. Over his last seven games, he has a 3-3 record with 21 earned runs in 34 2/3 innings, which is concerning as the Yankees enter a critical part of their season.
Potential Success in the Bullpen
There is optimism that Marcus Stroman could excel in a bullpen role. Known for his ability to control his pitches effectively, Stroman’s success hinges on his command. By reducing his workload, hitters will see his pitches less frequently, which could work to his advantage.
Stroman has a versatile pitch arsenal, with seven different pitches, all of which have a put-away rate over 10%. Most of these pitches contribute to his strikeout numbers, except for his four-seam fastball and curveball. However, his fastball’s velocity, around 92 mph, isn’t particularly overpowering, so he relies heavily on his off-speed pitches.
In a short-relief role, Stroman might be more successful, as hitters would face him fewer times, potentially allowing him to vary his pitch selection more effectively. While he is unlikely to be considered for a set-up or closer position, the bullpen could be a suitable role for him in the short term.
There remains a possibility that Stroman could return to the rotation in the future, depending on how the current starters perform, as well as factors like matchups and statistical comparisons.
