Stroman Struggles in Yankees’ Rain-Shortened Loss to Giants

NEW YORK (AP) — Marcus Stroman‘s tough start to the season continued Friday night, as the New York Yankees right-hander left the game after recording just two outs in a rain-shortened 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium.

Stroman, who entered the game with a 7.27 ERA over his first two starts, struggled from the outset. In a night marked by poor pitching and challenging conditions, he was pulled after throwing 46 pitches in the first inning, during which he surrendered five earned runs on four hits and three walks.

As he left the mound, Stroman informed Yankees manager Aaron Boone that his left knee was “bugging” him. His departure was met with loud boos from a sparse crowd, and he subsequently underwent X-rays at Yankee Stadium before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

“We’ll see what we have tomorrow,” Boone said after the game. He acknowledged that Stroman looked uncomfortable from the very beginning. Austin Wells, the Yankees catcher, noted, “He didn’t look very comfortable from the start. Just didn’t get ahead, and they had some good swings on some pitches.”

The first inning proved disastrous for Stroman. Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski hit a double on the very first pitch, an 89.4-mph sinker left over the plate. Following that, Willy Adames drew a walk, and Jung Hoo Lee launched a three-run homer, further exacerbating Stroman’s struggles.

To compound the issue, LaMonte Wade Jr. followed by hitting a two-run double, capitalizing on one of several walks Stroman issued. The inning left the Yankees in a deep hole, and despite recording a strikeout and a flyout, Boone opted to replace Stroman after allowing a single to Tyler Fitzgerald.

Stroman’s issues on the mound are concerning for the Yankees, especially as they navigate a demanding stretch of 13 games without scheduled rest. His ERA now stands at 11.57 for the season, raising questions about his viability as a starter for a team with championship aspirations.

Boone defended Stroman’s capabilities, pointing out the quality movement of his pitches and the need for tighter command. “It’s less margin for error, and there’s probably some adjustments we can all make with him that hopefully allow him to go out there and be effective,” he said.

The Yankees entered the game already struggling with injuries, losing starter Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery earlier in the year. With Stroman’s uncertain status, Boone may need to rely heavily on other pitchers like Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren, both of whom have also had shaky performances.

Stroman’s recent track record raises doubts as to whether he can meet the expectations set by his two-year, $37 million contract, which includes an $18 million option for 2026 contingent upon reaching 140 innings this season. The potential of placing him on the injured list looms as an option to avoid further damage, as the team navigates a turbulent start to the season.

As the season progresses, the Yankees’ pitching depth will be tested, and they may need to seek external reinforcements if Stroman continues to struggle. The pressure is on for the team to find stability in its rotation as they aim to turn the season around.