Marcus Stroman could be called upon in a key situation in the ALCS.
The right-hander made the Yankees’ 26-man roster for their postseason series against the Cleveland Guardians, and while he is not in line to start a game, Stroman could end up being a significant factor, according to manager Aaron Boone.
“You may expect to see a guy that can give you length in a certain game, but you never know,” Boone said Monday before Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. “He may find himself in the biggest spot in the biggest moment of the series.”
Stroman, 33, was not on the ALDS roster, as the Yankees used only three starters and carried only 11 pitchers against the Kansas City Royals thanks to scheduled off days after all but one of their games.
After signing with the Yankees last offseason, the Long Island-born Stroman pitched to a 4.31 ERA in 30 appearances (29 starts) in the regular season but was moved to the bullpen in September.
Stroman handled not making the ALDS team “perfectly,” said Boone.
“He’s a big reason why we’re here,” Boone said. “The consistency of our starting rotation this year is a big reason why we’re division winners. He was a big part of that. He stayed ready. I felt like his live [bullpen session] last week, when he threw, was good, and I just felt like he deserved to be on [the ALCS roster].”
After turning to Carlos Rodón in ALCS Game 1, the Yankees plan to start Gerrit Cole in Game 2, Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 and Luis Gil in Game 4, Boone confirmed Sunday.
Stroman last pitched in an MLB game on Sept. 25, when he allowed six runs in 3.1 innings in a spot start against the Baltimore Orioles.
He was one of two new additions to the ALCS roster, joining first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who missed the ALDS after suffering two fractured fingers on his right hand — his non-throwing hand — on Sept. 28.
NO NESTOR
Left off of the ALCS roster was Nestor Cortes, whom Boone said was “not quite” ready to return from the left elbow flexor strain that landed him on the injured list on Sept. 25.
Cortes threw his first bullpen session since the injury on Sunday, which Boone said went well.
“I think he felt good today,” Boone said Monday. “He’ll have another moderate throwing [day] tomorrow and then probably another bullpen on Wednesday. If that goes well, could have a live [session] on the weekend.”
The left-hander could be in play for the World Series should the Yankees advance past Cleveland.
“We’re definitely encouraged by how it’s going so far,” Boone said of Cortes’ throwing program.
Cortes, 29, pitched to a 3.77 ERA in 31 appearances (30 starts) during the regular season.
JUST OFF THE MARK
Mark Leiter Jr. was “definitely in the mix” for the ALCS roster, said Boone, but the Yankees ultimately opted against adding the reliever.
Leiter, a right-hander with a swing-and-miss stuff, struggled after being traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Yankees in July, pitching to a 4.98 ERA over 21.2 innings. He was also left off of the ALDS roster.
The Yankees carried 12 pitchers on their ALCS roster, including the four who are scheduled to start a game, as well as Stroman. The Yankees’ bullpen did not allow an earned run in 15.2 innings in the ALDS.
“We did consider 13, but liked a little more flexibility on the bench, too,” Boone said.
