The Yankees needed a big outing from Marcus Stroman on Sunday, and he delivered.
The right-hander was shaky at times during his minor league rehab stint, but taking the big-league mound for the first time since April 11 he looked strong as he limited the Athletics to just one run over a season-high five innings of work.
“I thought he was terrific today,” Aaron Boone said. “He was a little bit of an unknown going out there coming off his buildup out — I know he’s coming off a tough one down there in Triple-A, but I thought he got after it really good today.
“He got pitches where he needed to, I thought he had a presence on both sides of the plate, was a little unpredictable using his sinker, his cutter and the different breaking balls — but he got after it in the zone when he needed to and gave us everything we needed.”
Stroman cruised through the first but then had a bit of a scare in the second, as he was struck by a Max Muncy liner right back through the box, but after a brief discussion with trainers he was able to stay in the game.
The Athletics pushed a man into scoring position with a leadoff walk and single in the third, but he got star rookie Jacob Wilson to roll into an inning-ending double play.
Stroman then worked around a two out walk in the fourth, but his lone blemish came in the fifth as he allowed the A’s to get on the board with Willie MacIver’s second home run of the season to deep left.
He ended his afternoon on a high note by retiring the next two, and with the Yankees’ offense providing more than enough support, he was able to pick up his first win since August of 2024.
“I feel like this was a good building block,” Stroman said. “It’s not the same being on the side, you feel like you’re left out. So it’s definitely good to be back with the boys, it's an incredible team that we’re a part of we can truly do some special things. I’m just looking to do my part and contribute as much as I can.”
Read the full article here