Marcus Stroman was removed from the ALDS roster due to rotation into the bullpen.
The Yankees decided to have only 11 pitchers on their roster for the series against the Royals, but Stroman was not one of them.
The right-handed pitcher had a 4.31 ERA in 30 regular-season games (29 starts), but he doesn't have the swing-and-miss ability that would be valuable coming out of the bullpen in a playoff series.
“Obviously it's a difficult decision, especially at the end we're still considering 12 or 11 pitchers,” manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday's Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. “So where does that role lie?Obviously, we could only need three starting pitchers for this series, and we have four starting pitchers. [the roster]. In this series, we felt it would be better to use another relief pitcher to fill this role. ”
The Yankees opted to use Tim Meza as their second left-handed pitcher (along with Tim Hill) instead of using Stroman, Mark Leiter Jr., or Clayton Beater.
With a day off after Games 1, 2, and 4 of this best-of-five series, the Yankees could play this game by simply starting Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and either Luis Gil or Clark Schmidt. I can get through it.
This schedule also allows the remaining relief pitchers to pitch more often, with only one set of consecutive games, reducing the need for long men.
Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with a vesting option in 2026 last winter, got off to a strong start to the season but faltered in the second half.
The Yankees moved him to the bullpen in mid-September, but he made only one relief appearance before making his final start in place of the injured Nestor Cortes.
At some point in the next few days, Stroman could hold a live batting practice session to continue stretching 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 advance to the ALCS.
Speedy outfielder Duke Ellis was listed as the No. 15 player in the ALDS and provided a pinch-running threat off the bench.
“We can be a little more aggressive in that spot knowing we have an extra guy on the bench that can step in whenever we need it,” Boone said.
The Yankees claimed Ellis off waivers from the Mariners in August.
He has played in 11 career games and has five hits and a stolen base (57 hits in 61 at bats this year in the minors).
The Yankees' ALDS roster did not include Anthony Rizzo, who was unable to recover from a broken finger, but the veteran first baseman announced Friday night that he could contribute in the ALCS if the club advances. He said he was confident.
“I certainly think that's a possibility,” Boone said. “I was encouraged by what I saw from him.” [Friday]. I tripped over him when he was doing the cage swing and it was actually pretty good. So I think that's definitely a possibility. ”
The Yankees are unlikely to name a starting pitcher (between Gill and Schmidt) for Game 3 until Tuesday.
