Yankees Must Make Tough Call After Marcus Stroman’s Rough Return

Stroman had a rough start to the season before the injury—an 11.57 ERA through three starts—and this outing didn’t exactly look like someone ready to turn the page. It was his third rehab start and easily his worst. The Yankees were hoping to see sharper command, fewer hard-hit balls, maybe a little late movement. Instead, they got base runners. A lot of them.

Stroman says he feels healthy. The pitch count is where it needs to be. With Ryan Yarbrough on the injured list, the Yankees have an opening for a starter on Sunday. Allan Winnans had a chance to win it on Monday night and his middling fastball wasn't exactly convincing. 

So, are the Yankees really just going to plug him back in and hope for the best?

 This team is already walking a tightrope with its pitching depth, and Stroman has been more of a question mark than a solution since Opening Day.

It’s possible the Yankees try to ease him in with a soft matchup, which technically the Athletics could be. If they could get a few good starts out of him, maybe they could package him in a trade deal. While he's changed his tune about being a starter only, he would presumably accept a spot in the bullpen. Either way, Stroman’s leash is going to be short. If his stuff doesn’t play, they can’t afford to wait around.