Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman — the subject of trade rumors for most of the offseason — has been a no-show at spring training workouts the last two days.
Pitchers and catchers reported to camp two days ago.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reports that Stroman has already taken his spring training physical, and is “taking a couple of extra days, but is not holding out or staying away long term.”
Martino adds that the “full expectation” is that Stroman will be in camp within the next few days.
Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that after he spoke with the pitcher he knew he “might be out the first couple of days” and that Stroman missing time is a “reality” that can happen with the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement setting a mandatory reporting date of 33 days before the start of the season.
“I certainly get how it all looks with all the noise around it this winter,” Boone said, hinting at the trade rumors. “But the reality is this is something under CBA… I certainly understand the look around it and obviously the story around it. But I’ve even had communication with him [Wednesday] night and this morning that he is ready to go mentally and physically and hopefully be here in the next couple days.”
Boone said he would not speak for Stroman as to his reasons for not reporting and that the club is going to “respect the rules” around this.
The 33-year-old Stroman, who signed a two-year deal last offseason that contained a vesting option for 2026, is seemingly the odd man out in the rotation.
And the manager admitted the presence of the elephant in the room.
“He’s a prideful player, it’s a guy that’s had a great career,” he said. “It’s a little bit of an awkward situation, obviously. Of course, I want him here. Tying to keep nudge him to get here.”
Joining holdovers Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt on the starting staff will be Max Fried, who inked an eight-year deal earlier this offseason.
The above means Stroman is likely ticketed for the bullpen or another team unless the Yanks suffer an injury in the rotation.
Stroman’s option for 2026 will only vest if he throws at least 140 innings this season.
Last year, during his first season in the Bronx, Stroman had a 4.31 ERA (4.62 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP while striking out 113 batters in 154.2 innings over 30 games (29 starts).
Stroman did not pitch during the Yankees’ run to the World Series. He was on the ALCS roster (but didn’t appear in a game), and was left off the roster for the ALDS and World Series.
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