The Yankees took game one of a three-game set against the Athletics by a score of 3-0, and all looked good in Yankeetown.
Will Warren was solid through five innings, and the bullpen took it from there.
On the flipside, the Yankees are still awaiting the return of Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman, both of whom have been out for many months.
Stroman, who was nursing knee inflammation, pitched to a 6.97 ERA in three rehab starts, and fans weren't exactly crossing their fingers on a return after his 11.57 ERA to start 2025.
Stroman will be the starter in Sunday's series finale against the Athletics, manager Aaron Boone announced.
It will be Stroman's first start since April 11th, and in each of his three starts to begin 2025, Stroman failed to make it through five innings, giving up three or more runs in each.
The Yankees feel they have an obligation to Stroman, who is in the last year of a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees signed in 2023.
Before the season, with the Yankees set to have a rotation of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt and potentially Will Warren, Stroman repeatedly told the media that 'I'm a starter' and seemingly refused any possibility that he'd move to the bullpen.
Stroman is getting what may be his last shot at the rotation here on Sunday, and if it goes south, he may get sent to the bullpen, although the Yankees have seen their pitching depth get challenged with a further injury to Ryan Yarbrough forcing Allan Winans to have a go.
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