Yankees Face Setback as Marcus Stroman Hits the Injured List
April 12, 2025, 03:42 PM ET – NEW YORK — The New York Yankees have encountered a significant hurdle early in the season as they placed Marcus Stroman on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation. This decision came swiftly after Stroman’s challenging outing against the San Francisco Giants, where he surrendered five runs and managed to secure only two outs in a rain-soaked 9-1 defeat.
Stroman’s struggles on the mound were evident as he threw 46 pitches in the rain on Friday, prompting a visit to the hospital for tests on his left knee. Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared that Stroman had expressed discomfort in his knee, leading to the team’s decision to place him on the injured list just an hour before Saturday’s scheduled first pitch.
Currently, Stroman holds a record of 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA over three starts. His latest performance was marred by a three-run homer from Jung Hoo Lee and a two-run double by LaMonte Wade Jr. This outing marked his shortest career start that wasn’t interrupted by rain. Boone, however, remains uncertain if the adverse weather conditions contributed to the injury.
“I don’t know, tough to say,” Boone commented before Saturday’s game. “We haven’t been in ideal conditions most of the start of the season here, and that affects everyone a little bit differently. Stro has also been doing this a long time and pitched in these situations a lot before, so I’m sure that all plays a role.”
In response to Stroman’s absence, the Yankees have called up pitcher Allan Winans from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Winans, who had a 5.02 ERA in five spring training appearances, pitched 2⅔ innings in his sole appearance with Triple-A. His major league debut came with the Atlanta Braves in 2023, where he recorded a 1-4 record with a 7.20 ERA over eight starts in the past two seasons.
The Yankees acquired Winans off waivers from the Braves on January 23, designated him for assignment on February 5, and subsequently invited him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. As of Saturday, the Yankees had lost four of their last five games following a promising 6-2 start, with their starting rotation posting a 5.46 ERA, the worst among the 30 teams.
On a brighter note, Clarke Schmidt is expected to rejoin the Yankees on Tuesday or Wednesday after recovering from right rotator cuff tendinitis that has sidelined him since spring training. Boone did not specify who would be removed from the rotation, but Stroman’s injury simplifies the decision-making process.
“I’m excited to get him back,” Boone said. “He’s turned into a really good pitcher in the league. So feel like he’s in a really good spot, too.”
Stroman, who turns 34 on May 1, is in the second season of a two-year contract guaranteeing $37 million. His deal includes a $16 million conditional player option for 2026, which could be exercised if he pitches at least 140 innings this year. He had skipped the Yankees’ first two spring training workouts when he didn’t have a projected rotation role behind Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Schmidt. He arrived on Valentine’s Day, eight days ahead of the mandatory reporting date, and injuries to Cole, Gil, and Schmidt created a need for him.
A two-time All-Star, Stroman has yet to pitch through the fifth inning this season and has a 2.04 WHIP. Last season, he was 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 30 games (29 starts), throwing 154⅔ innings, his most since 2021 with the New York Mets. Stroman struggled in the second half and did not appear in the postseason when the Yankees made their first World Series appearance since 2009.
- Yankees’ starting rotation ERA: 5.46
- Stroman’s current ERA: 11.57
- Stroman’s WHIP: 2.04
- Winans’ spring training ERA: 5.02
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
