Marcus Stroman went from the rotation to the bullpen to being left off the ALDS roster.
The Yankees decided to carry only 11 pitchers on their roster for their series against the Royals and Stroman was not one of them.
The right-hander pitched to a 4.31 ERA across 30 games (29 starts) in the regular season and does not have the swing-and-miss stuff that would be valuable out of the bullpen in a playoff series.
“A hard decision, obviously, especially going down to the very end still considering 12 pitchers or 11 pitchers,” manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday’s Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. “And then where’s the role? Obviously this series potentially only needing three starters, having four on [the roster]. Just felt like for the role, in this series, better to go with another reliever.”
The Yankees opted to carry Tim Mayza as a second lefty reliever (along with Tim Hill) instead of going with one of Stroman, Mark Leiter Jr. or Clayton Beeter.
With days off after Games 1, 2 and 4 in this best-of-five series, the Yankees can get through it needing only Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt to start.
The schedule also allows the rest of the relievers to pitch more frequently, with only one pair of games on consecutive days, decreasing the need for a long man.
Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with a vesting option for 2026 last winter, had a strong start to the season before tailing off in the second half.
The Yankees moved him to the bullpen in mid-September, though he only made one relief appearance before making one last start in place of the injured Nestor Cortes.
At some point in the next few days, Stroman will likely throw a live batting practice session to stay stretched out in case the Yankees need him.
Boone said the Long Island native would be an option for the ALCS, in any role, if the Yankees make it there.
Speedy outfielder Duke Ellis made the ALDS roster as the 15th position player, offering a pinch-running threat off the bench.
“It allows you to be a little more aggressive with that spot knowing you’ve got an extra man on the bench to plug in wherever you need it,” Boone said.
The Yankees had claimed Ellis off waivers from the Mariners in August.
He has appeared in 11 career games, going 5-for-5 in stolen bases (and 57-for-61 in the minors this year).
The Yankees ALDS roster did not include Anthony Rizzo, who did not recover from a pair of fractured fingers in time, but the veteran first baseman said Friday night he was confident he could contribute in the ALCS if the club advances.
“I feel like it’s a possibility, certainly in play,” Boone said. “I was encouraged by what I saw from him [Friday]. I kind of stumbled upon him as he was taking his cage swings and it was actually pretty good. So I think it’s certainly a possibility.”
The Yankees are unlikely to name a Game 3 starter (between Gil or Schmidt) until Tuesday.
