MIAMI — The Yankees are done with Marcus Stroman.
Even after not landing a starting pitcher before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Yankees made the decision Friday to cut Stroman, releasing him from the roster and eating the $5-plus million left on his contract.
The move comes just two days before Luis Gil is set to return from the IL to make his season debut Sunday against the Marlins.
It also helped clear the last roster spot needed for the Yankees to add the three relievers they added Thursday: David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird.
Stroman, who missed two and a half months this season with knee inflammation, started Thursday’s game and cruised early before giving up four runs across five innings.
The veteran had been mostly serviceable since coming back from the IL, but had a 6.23 ERA across nine starts and 39 innings this year.
By ditching Stroman, the Yankees are committing to keeping rookie Cam Schlittler in the rotation.
The hard-throwing right-hander has shown flashes of his potential in three starts as a big leaguer, though he seemed like a candidate to be sent back to Triple-A when Gil returned so the Yankees could keep the most starting depth.
Instead, they decided to stick with Schlittler’s upside and cut ties with Stroman, ending his pinstriped tenure after signing him to a two-year, $37 million contract before the 2024 season.
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