Marcus Stroman does not want the honor of being the Yankees Opening Day pitcher for the March 28th game against the Houston Astros, preferring to stay in line for the third game of the Year on March 30th against the Astros. Today is March 14, 2024. A full two weeks away from Yankees Opening Day.
When two-time All Star pitcher Marcus Stroman signed a contract for up to three years with the Yankees it would have been hard to believe the 77-76 lifetime record pitcher would ever be looked at to replace Gerrit Cole for the Opening Day nod, and to place his name with Yankee legends like Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry, Andy Pettitte, and CC Sabathia earning an Opening Day start.
Imagine being a fly on the wall at George M. Steinbrenner Field…” Hey Marcus, would you like to pitch for us on Opening Day?” A reply is heard, “Nope, I’m good for the 3rd game.” A soft reply slips out, “Sure thing Marcus, we don’t want to inconvenience you and your preparation schedule just 2 weeks away.” Each game matters, right?
Marcus Stroman wants to maintain his normal schedule, which coincidentally lines him up for the Yankees Home Opener, against his former long-time team, the Toronto Blue Jays. I am sure it will be a long-time dream for him in the area where he grew up and a date he has been circled on his calendar since signing with the Yankees.
The Yankees rotation had four pitchers with 11 All Star selections between them going into Spring Training, Gerrit Cole with 6, Marcus Stroman with 2, Calos Rodon with 2, and Nestor Cortes with 1. It is hard to believe the Yankees are not even asking Carlos Rodon to step into the spot. It appears the most likely scenario since Cole is injured, Stroman turning down the ball, Rodon, and Cortes both coming off injury plagued 2023 seasons, is the 2023 Yankees number two innings pitched IP leader, Clarke Schmidt to take the ball.
It would be a pleasure to watch the Gamecock from the University of South Carolina toe the rubber for the Opening Day honor, he is a gamer, Clarke Schmidt came back from Tommy John Surgery, and various other injuries since the Yankees took him with the 16th pick overall of the 2017 MLB Draft.
I forgot to mention a three-time All Star on the Yankees with a 0.00 ERA and an average of 9 strikeouts per 9 IP average: Anthony Rizzo. Maybe he can be designated a two-way player and take the ball for Cole.
3/14/2024 Yankees News and Notes
The New York Yankees were shutout by the Detroit Tigers 7-0 today. The Yankees lineup included just four projected regular players for the 2024 Yankees, Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and Jose Trevino. The four batters combined for 1-10 at the plate with 3 K’s. Marcus Stroman hurled 4.1 IP, surrendering 4 ER, with 4K’s. Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and Oswaldo Cabrera led the Yankee offensive attack with one hit each.
The Yankees play today at 6:35 PM EDT at home versus the Pittsburgh Pirates with Clarke Schmidt starting for the Yankees.
