KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Stroman, dealing with knee inflammation, took to the mound for his first rehab appearance on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset. After the game, he expressed openness to taking on a different pitching role with the Yankees upon his return, rather than solely starting.
During the early days of spring training, Stroman was firm about wanting to remain in the starter role, even as he faced being squeezed out of the rotation, and he rejected the idea of joining the bullpen.
A few months later, that has changed.
“I’m very open to any possibilities, but discussions haven’t progressed to that point yet,” Stroman remarked, as seen in a video from Somerset, after he delivered 46 pitches over 3 ¹/₃ innings.
“I could be open to that [the bullpen]. I’m just trying to make sure my body and my knee and my arm and mechanics, everything’s good.”
Even if he does come back as a starter, Stroman would be unlikely to reach the 140-inning mark that would have triggered an $18 million vesting option for next season.
Boone said he has not yet discussed a role with Stroman and was just focused on getting him healthy and built up.
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