The New York Yankees recently made significant roster changes, particularly after the MLB trade deadline. They welcomed three new relievers but had to bid farewell to veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman.
On Thursday, the Yankees optioned relievers Ian Hamilton and Yerry de los Santos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The following day, they released Stroman to open up a spot for Camilo Doval, David Bednar, and Jake Bird. Unfortunately for Stroman, he is still owed the remainder of his $18.5 million salary. He had a vesting option for 2026, but that was unlikely after spending two months on the injured list due to knee issues.
Stroman joined the Yankees in the 2024 offseason after they missed out on pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His tenure with the Yankees turned out to be disappointing, as he posted a 4.69 ERA over 193 and two-thirds innings. This performance ranks among the lowest for the team since 2024.
Once an All-Star with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, Stroman’s performance has declined in recent seasons. His fastball velocity dropped to an average of 90.1 mph, marking it as one of the slowest in the league. As Yankees manager Aaron Boone pointed out, Stroman needed better control of his pitches to succeed. Boone emphasized, “He’s gotta command it. That’s the biggest thing.”
By parting ways with Stroman, the Yankees are placing their bets on rookie Cam Schlittler, who can throw a fastball reaching up to 100 mph. While Schlittler needs to refine his secondary pitches, he’s shown promise in his first few starts.
The Yankees are also gearing up for Luis Gil’s season debut this Sunday in Miami, which could further strengthen their starting rotation. With Gil stepping in, the team hopes to add depth and improve their chances for the rest of the season.
These moves reflect the Yankees’ ongoing adjustments as they strive for better performance. Fans are eager to see how these changes pan out, especially in a competitive league where every game counts.
For additional insights on player performance, check out ESPN’s player stats.
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New York Yankees, MLB
