The New York Yankees made the decision to keep starting pitcher Marcus Stroman off the roster for the American League Division Series.
Given the nature of the five-game series against the Kansas City Royals, along with the day of rest in between each game, the Yankees opted to go with just 11 pitchers on the 26-man roster.
Among the pitchers who didn't make the cut was Stroman, the team's No. 4 starter throughout the regular season.
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters Saturday why the Yankees left Stroman off the roster for the ALDS.
"In this series, potentially needing only three starters and having four on, you just felt like the role for this series was better to go with another reliever," Boone said.
It's not a major surprise that Stroman was left off the roster considering his struggles in the second half. With the Yankees needing a three-man rotation, Stroman was the odd-man out.
Stroman's 16.7% strikeout rate was tied for the lowest mark among pitchers with at least 150 innings pitched in 2024. During 11 starts in the second half, Stroman was 3-5 with a .598 ERA.
If the Yankees make it to the American League Championship Series, there's a chance Stroman will make the roster. But for now, Stroman will be watching as a fan.
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