Stroman Set to Return from IL and Start for Yankees Sunday

The New York Yankees are about to bring Marcus Stroman back into their starting rotation after he missed a significant stretch with left knee inflammation. Stroman’s return comes at a time when the Yankees are fighting through injuries and searching for some kind of rhythm as they chase a postseason spot.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Stroman’s return after the Yankees beat the Athletics 3-0 on Friday night. That announcement brought a mix of excitement and a bit of nervousness for everyone following the team.

Marcus Stroman’s Long Road to Recovery

Stroman last pitched for the Yankees on April 11. That outing was rough—he gave up five runs in less than an inning against the Giants, which set off some early worries.

Just a day later, the Yankees put Stroman on the 15-day injured list, thinking it’d be a short break. But things didn’t go as planned, and setbacks kept him away from the majors for much longer than anyone expected.

The Knee Complications That Stalled Progress

On May 9, Stroman felt his knee acting up again during what should’ve been a normal batting practice session. That threw off his whole rehab schedule.

He didn’t start a minor league rehab assignment until June 11, more than two months after his last big league appearance. Injuries like this really mess with a team’s plans, don’t they?

Minor League Struggles Raise Questions

When Stroman finally got back on the mound, it was with Double-A Somerset for a minor league rehab stint. Things didn’t go well—he posted a rough 6.97 ERA over three appearances.

His last outing was especially tough, giving up five runs in just 3⅔ innings. Even with those numbers, the Yankees are bringing him back, probably because they’re running out of options for the rotation.

What Led to Stroman’s Activation?

The Yankees’ injury list keeps growing. Starter Ryan Yarbrough just landed on the IL with a strained oblique, which opened up a spot in the rotation.

Now Stroman gets another shot, and the timing couldn’t be more important for both him and the team. There’s a lot riding on this, and you can feel the pressure.

A Veteran Pitcher Looking for Redemption

Stroman’s return comes at a crossroads in his career. He’s 34 and in the second year of a two-year, $37 million contract, with a conditional player option for 2026.

That option depends on him reaching 140 innings this season. After missing so much time, hitting that mark feels pretty shaky.

Last season, Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA over 154⅔ innings. But his struggles in the second half and missing the postseason still linger in people’s minds.

Can Stroman Be the Spark the Yankees Need?

Stroman’s return could end up being a turning point for the Yankees—or maybe it’s a gamble that won’t pay off. With a spot open, the team hopes he can steady things and give them some quality starts.

It’s hard to ignore his recent struggles in the minors and his up-and-down year, though. Is this the boost the Yankees need, or just another roll of the dice?

What’s Next for Stroman and the Yankees?

Stroman’s set to take the mound on Sunday. Everyone’s watching to see how he does.

If he pitches well, maybe the Yankees can finally relax a bit about their injury-plagued rotation. But if things go sideways, the team might have to scramble for other options.

The pressure’s on, no doubt. Both Stroman and the Yankees have a lot riding on this start.

Fans are crossing their fingers that this is the start of a real comeback for Marcus Stroman. It’s a big moment, not just for him, but for a team with playoff dreams and plenty of nerves.

• Key Takeaway: Stroman’s return definitely adds drama to the Yankees’ rotation, but it also brings up some tough questions after his recent rough patches.
• Key Challenge: Can Stroman find his old form in time to meet expectations and hit those contract milestones?
• Key Opportunity: If Sunday goes well, it could light a fire under both Stroman and the Yankees.

When Stroman steps onto the mound this weekend, it’s not just another game. It’s a shot to prove he’s still got it, shut up the doubters, and maybe give the Yankees the push they need for the postseason. Guess we’ll see what happens.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Stroman to come off IL, start for Yankees on Sun.