Why Marcus Stroman isn’t worried about Yanks’ rotation

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Marcus Stroman, who entered spring training as the Yankees’ No. 6 starter and is now the No. 3, isn’t worried about the team’s rotation heading into 2025.

Just the opposite.

“I think we’re great, man,” Stroman said on Monday after allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings in the Yankees’ 6-6 tie against the Mets at Clover Park.

The rotation for the first week or so of the season, which starts on Thursday at Yankee Stadium against the Brewers, is Carlos Rodon, Max Fried, Stroman, Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco.

Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) is out for the season. Luis Gil (right lat strain) is going to miss the first three months. Clarke Schmidt, who had a bout with shoulder weakness in spring training, will stay behind in Florida and start the season on the injured list as he builds up his pitch count.

Stroman isn’t worried.

“Everyone over here – I know how they’re speaking (about the rotation) — but Warren’s special, man,” he said. “And Cookie – I pitched with Cookie Carrasco back when we were on the Mets. He deals, man. He’s been doing this for a very long time. He knows how to pitch. So I think we’ll be great. I’ve got incredible confidence.

“I’ve been a big fan of Will Warren since I’ve been here as a Yankee. I’ve seen this stuff that he has. It’s just a matter of him just turning it on, which I think he’s now ready. So, yeah, I think we’ll be great, man. I think we’ll be great.”

Stroman finding the form that made him an All-Star in 2019 and 2023 would certainly help. The 33-year-old goes into his second Yankees season off one that ended with him in the bullpen – and completely unused – during the postseason.

When Stroman reported to camp, he (correctly, it turned out) said he was not a reliever. What could have been an awkward situation when Stroman arrived at camp two days after the Yankees would have liked turned out to not be awkward at all.

“He’s been nothing but great,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Stroman has always been full of confidence, and going from spare part or trade bait to an important part of rotation hasn’t phased him.

“I don’t even think about it in that terms,” he said when asked about his spring training as a whole (4.73 ERA). “I’m really just trying to feel as good as possible, be as healthy as possible, and feel good on the mound. So I kind of checked all those boxes. So just excited to go and compete this year.”

On Monday, Stroman was one of the first Yankees to hug Juan Soto before the game (most of the Yankees stars, including Aaron Judge, did not make the trip). Soto is a fan.

“I got to know him last year,” Soto said. “I think he’s a great guy. He goes by his vibes and all kind of stuff. He’s great. I’m really happy to have played with him in the past. It was exciting because (he’s) just another character, something different that you don’t see every day. I feel that’s what makes him special.”

Notes & quotes: Infielder/outfielder Pablo Reyes solidified his likely bench spot with three hits, including a home run. The 31-year-old, who made one pinch-running appearance for the Mets last season, is batting .326 with two home runs and a .922 OPS. “Love it,” Boone said. “Love how he’s looked all spring. It’s been a lot of really good at-bats. There’s life in the bat.” .. . Warren will start on Tuesday as the Yankees end spring training against the Marlins in Miami.