Janice R. Andrews
The New York Yankees have unveiled their 26-man roster for the American League Division Series (ALDS), making waves with the unexpected exclusion of seasoned starter Marcus Stroman. Opting for increased positional flexibility, the team selected 15 position players and only 11 pitchers, leaving both Stroman and reliever Mark Leiter Jr. off the lineup.
While Leiter Jr.’s omission was less surprising given his lackluster mid-season performance (4.98 ERA with control issues), Stroman’s absence has sparked more discussion. Despite a promising start to the season, Stroman’s second-half struggles, including a career-low 16.7% strikeout rate, likely influenced the decision. His lack of bullpen experience may have also been a factor, as the Yankees prioritized versatile arms for the compact five-game series.
Further complicating the roster, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was sidelined due to a late-season finger injury.
The Yankees are now banking on Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to spearhead their rotation, with offensive firepower expected from stars like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. As the team enters this crucial series, the absence of these veteran players is sure to be a focal point of discussion and analysis.
