On April 11, the New York Yankees were feeling optimistic as Marcus Stroman took the mound against the San Francisco Giants in what was anticipated to be a marquee pitching matchup. However, things quickly went sideways. Stroman gave up five runs in the first inning and was clearly not himself. After a rain-shortened loss, he didn’t blame poor mechanics or lack of command—instead, he pointed to discomfort in his left knee. This wasn’t just a bad outing; it was an early sign of something more serious.
A few days later, Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed Stroman’s situation and didn’t offer much reassurance. He said Stroman was “still feeling some things,” hinting that the injury might not be as minor as initially hoped. While the team originally placed Stroman on the 15-day injured list due to “left knee inflammation,” Boone’s latest comments suggest this could turn into a longer absence. It’s troubling news for a Yankees rotation already missing key arms like Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.
Marcus Stroman is still “feeling some things” in his knee, per Boone, so does not sound like it will just be a minimum stay on the IL.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) April 21, 2025
Initially, the diagnosis didn’t raise major alarms. Stroman underwent an MRI, which showed no structural damage—a good sign on the surface. The team gave him a cortisone shot to reduce swelling, and he’s resumed playing catch. Still, despite those steps, there’s little confidence that he’s close to being game-ready.
Boone’s continued caution implies that Stroman’s time on the IL won’t be brief. This has serious implications for the Yankees, whose rotation depth is already under stress. And Stroman’s contract adds another layer of urgency—he has an $18 million player option for 2026 that depends on how many innings he pitches this season. Each game he misses brings him closer to not reaching that threshold, affecting both the player and the team.
As injuries begin to stack up and the schedule rolls on, the Yankees are entering a tough stretch. This knee issue may not end Stroman’s season, but it could be one of those defining moments fans look back on if the team struggles down the road.
Meanwhile, general manager Brian Cashman has a decision to make. He typically avoids making hasty moves in April, but with Stroman sidelined and Cole still not back, he may need to act sooner rather than later. The American League East is competitive, and relying too long on an undermanned rotation could be costly.
Possible trade targets might include Paul Blackburn from the Mets, Erick Fedde from the Cardinals, or even veterans like Patrick Corbin or Jack Flaherty. If the swelling in Stroman’s knee doesn’t subside soon, the Yankees may be forced to part with some of their prospects to keep their playoff hopes alive.
For now, Clarke Schmidt and Nestor Cortes are doing their best to hold things together. But if one more starter goes down, or Stroman’s recovery drags on, the Yankees could be facing a full-blown crisis in their rotation.