The New York Yankees have made some significant decisions regarding their pitching rotation recently. After a string of impressive performances, left-hander Nestor Cortes will be staying in the starting rotation. Cortes has been on fire lately, with a 4-0 record and a 1.85 ERA in his last six outings. On the other hand, struggling right-hander Marcus Stroman will be moving to the bullpen after a rough patch in his last few starts.
This decision comes after a series of moves by the Yankees, including calling up Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A and mixing and matching at the closer position. Manager Aaron Boone announced the decision before a game against the Red Sox, emphasizing that Stroman’s recent performance played a significant role in the decision.
Stroman, who had a strong start to the season with a 7-3 record and a 3.15 ERA in his first 16 starts, has struggled recently with a 3-5 record and a 5.53 ERA in his last 12 outings. With Cortes’ hot streak and Stroman’s struggles, the decision to move Stroman to the bullpen seemed like the right move.
Boone mentioned that the decision may not be permanent and that Stroman could potentially make another start if needed due to injuries. However, with the regular season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon, the Yankees are focused on solidifying their rotation for the postseason.
Stroman’s experience as a starter will be valuable in the bullpen, and he will be available to pitch in relief starting Sunday. Boone highlighted the depth of the Yankees’ pitching staff, noting that difficult decisions have to be made due to the strong options available.
As the Yankees continue to push for a playoff spot, these strategic decisions will play a crucial role in shaping their postseason roster. With a mix of experienced starters and talented relievers, the team is looking to make a deep run in the playoffs and compete for a World Series title.
Overall, the Yankees’ decision to retain Nestor Cortes in the starting rotation and move Marcus Stroman to the bullpen reflects their commitment to putting the best team on the field to achieve success in the postseason. As the regular season comes to a close, all eyes will be on how these pitching decisions impact the team’s playoff aspirations.