Marcus Stroman yet to work out with Yankees amid unclear future

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman reported to the team's facility in Tampa but has not practiced for the first two days of spring training.

Stroman underwent his physical, but opted not to participate in workouts Wednesday or Thursday.

It didn't come as a shock to manager Aaron Boone, who said he had communicated with Stroman during the week. Boone did not indicate why Stroman was absent, but there were reports earlier this offseason that the Yankees were looking to move him via trade.

"I'm not going to speak for him," Boone told reporters Thursday. "You can ask him for the reasons. I want him here, obviously, but we also have to respect the rules that are set up."

Boone went on to say that he expected Stroman to begin training by Major League Baseball's mandatory report date of Feb. 22. The Yankees' pitchers and catchers reported to the facility this past Tuesday.

"He's a prideful player," Boone said. "He's a guy that's had a great career where it's a little bit of an awkward situation, obviously.

"So of course I want him here, and I'm trying to keep nudging him to get here. But, again, you also have to respect the fact that this is something players are allowed to do. There's a mandatory date and he's choosing that right now."

Stroman, 33, signed with the Yankees ahead of the 2024 campaign and made 29 starts among his 30 appearances in the regular season, He went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA, recording 113 strikeouts and 60 walks across 154 2/3 innings.

New York did not call on Stroman to pitch in the playoffs, when the Yankees advanced to the World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

Since then, the Yankees signed free agent lefty Max Fried, and their 2025 starting rotation appears to feature Gerrit Cole and Fried at the top, followed by Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, last year's American League Rookie of the Year. The Yankees also traded Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee this offseason to acquire closer Devin Williams.

Stroman could be an option as a sixth starter, and Boone told NJ.com earlier this month that Stroman "might be the most important starting pitcher for us this year."

Stroman has a career record of 87-85 with two saves, two shutouts, a 3.72 ERA and 1,204 strikeouts in 261 appearances (252 starts) for the Toronto Blue Jays (2014-19), New York Mets (2019, 2021), Chicago Cubs (2022-23) and Yankees.

--Field Level Media