The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have considered using a six-man rotation, but the New York Yankees seem committed to sticking with a five-man rotation this season.
As spring training begins, discussions about pitching are prominent with the Yankees, who are defending AL champions for the first time since 2010. Marcus Stroman, entering his second spring training with the Yankees, is the subject of trade rumors. With the addition of Max Fried, along with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, there may be no room for Stroman unless the team opts for a six-man rotation.
Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that while it’s unlikely, they’re preparing around 10 to 11 pitchers as potential starters. “Never say never,” he said, noting the unpredictability of the season ahead.
Stroman emphasized his role as a starter, saying he won’t pitch in the bullpen. Boone confirmed that the Yankees are building him up as a starter.
Stroman’s first season with the Yankees was uneven: he started strong, but struggled in the second half and didn’t appear in the postseason. He pointed to his durability, having consistently made over 30 starts in multiple seasons.
Though there may not be a spot now, the unpredictable nature of spring training reminds us things could change. Cashman highlighted the team’s depth in pitching but noted that spring training can lead to unexpected outcomes.
“We have a lot of quality pitching in camp. Give us time to figure it out,” Cashman said.
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