Marcus Stroman, Yankees veteran starter, has a difficult return in the future of the New York bullpen

When asked earlier this week about Marcus Stroman’s rehab plans while the New York Yankees were playing away from home, manager Aaron Boone admitted he didn’t really know.

As the old saying goes: Out of sight, out of mind. Now, New York Post columnist Joel Sherman asks a big question: Will we ever see Stroman pitch for the Yankees again?

Marcus Stroman has had a disastrous 2025 season

After a turbulent offseason in which the Yankees actively sought to trade him and he reported late to spring training, Stroman was unexpectedly forced into the rotation due to injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.

However, after three poor starts that resulted in a terrible 11.57 ERA, a knee injury sent the veteran to the injured list, and he does not appear to be close to returning. The injury means he will almost certainly not reach the 140 innings needed to trigger his $18 million player option for 2026. That could help the Yankees finally move him if he ever proves he’s healthy.

But the question is where he would fit in the Yankees’ rotation, which has quietly adapted without him.

Will Marcus Stroman have room with so much competition?

Clarke Schmidt returned from the injured list, Will Warren has pitched much better and Ryan Yarbrough has been more than steady as a fifth starter. Luis Gil is getting closer to returning in July

There’s even JT Brubaker, a low-key project who has been in the Yankees plans since last season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and a fractured rib

His current 30-day rehab program ends on June 16, which means the Manhattan Mules must activate him on the Major League or Minor League roster by then.

“If you add all that up, plus the likelihood that the Yankees will acquire a starter in July, the key question for the rest of the year is: Will Stroman pitch for the Yankees again? Never say never. An injury or poor performance could open up a vacancy. But since the 2026 option is no longer a factor, the Yankees may trade him and accept a low salary, spend dollars or simply let him go,” Sherman wrote.