Marcus Stroman heads to IL in another huge blow for Yankees rotation

The Yankees starting rotation, already a mess without the injured Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and — for now — Clarke Schmidt, lost another arm Saturday when Marcus Stroman was placed on the 15-day IL with left knee inflammation. 

The news came a day after the right-hander complained of soreness and went for X-rays following his ugly outing on Friday night, when he retired just two batters. 

It was another poor night for a rotation that has so far underwhelmed outside of two sterling outings from left-hander Max Fried. They entered Saturday with an MLB-worst 5.46 ERA, and that’s including Fried’s 1.56 ERA. 

Manager Aaron Boone said prior to the IL news that it was unclear if the wet and cold conditions may have led to Stroman’s bad start or injury. 

Stroman has been perhaps the biggest disappointment, as he finished last year with a 5.70 ERA in his final 18 appearances (17 starts) and begun this season with an 11.57 ERA in three starts. He has an $18 million option kick in for 2026 if he pitches 140 innings this year. 

Allan Winans was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Stroman’s place on the roster. Winans, 29, has a 7.20 ERA in eight career starts in the majors, all with Atlanta in 2023 and ’24. He pitched 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings in relief in his only appearance with SWB this season. 

The Stroman news shines more of a spotlight on the return of Schmidt, sidelined with right rotator cuff tendinitis since the spring. The right-hander said Saturday he felt ready to rejoin the rotation for his next start, which figures to come Tuesday or Wednesday against the Royals in The Bronx. 

Schmidt said he hadn’t been told of any plans regarding his next outing, but said he felt good in both of his rehab starts with Double-A Somerset, both physically and with his stuff. 

“It’s obviously been frustrating,’’ Schmidt said of the injury that’s delayed his season debut. “I want to compete with my guys and don’t want [injuries] to happen. Competing every five days is something I hold close to my heart, making sure I’m able to do that, play at a high level consistently and be a guy they rely on.” 

The issues with the rest of the rotation haven’t impacted his desire to get back. 

“I have that sense of urgency regardless of how we’re doing or how anybody’s performing,’’ Schmidt said. 

Two important bats have been slumping in the Yankees outfield — neither Cody Bellinger more Jasson Domínguez have gotten off to good starts. 

The switch-hitting Domínguez is almost a black hole from the right side, where he entered Saturday 1-for-20 with a double, four walks seven strikeouts and an OPS of .340 in 25 plate appearances. 

“I felt this spring, his right-handed swing and move improved and should [continue to] be moving forward,’’ Boone said. “I feel like he’s not making some of his best moves right-handed the last couple games. Part of that is facing [Detroit ace lefty Tarik] Skubal and some tough customers. The reality is he can really hit and that’s my expectation for him.” 

Bellinger has been slowed by both back tightness and a bout with food poisoning in the early going. 

Boone said Bellinger’s at-bats have mostly been good, but that he’s left the strike zone on occasion when he’s had good counts. 

“He’s a little disjointed here to start,’’ Boone said of the health issues that have impacted Bellinger, 3-for-21 entering Saturday. “Cody’s gonna bang and get it rolling. It feel like he’s seeing pitches and getting in good counts.” 

Boone said Jonathan Loáisiga threw a live batting practice Saturday as he rehabs from UCL surgery last April. He’s expected back in late May or June.