Marcus Stroman gushes about playing for Yankees: ‘Pinnacle of the sport’

TAMPA — The real thing is still almost six weeks away, but Marcus Stroman got his first taste on Monday.

The new Yankees right-hander, decked out in full uniform, threw three innings of live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field as he continued to build up his workload toward the regular season.

“Exciting putting the pinstripes on and getting those feels,” Stroman said. “Having a little bit of a crowd out there is pretty awesome. But, yeah, felt good. Just a matter of getting mechanics dialed in and feeling good at this point.”

Marcus Stroman throws a live batting practice at Yankees spring training on Feb. 19, 2024.
Marcus Stroman throws a live batting practice at Yankees spring training on Feb. 19, 2024.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Stroman was joined by Carlos Rodon as they alternated “ups” during the live session, with each throwing around 44 pitches.

Stroman was piling up strikeouts before teammate Austin Wells took him deep for a home run.

“Both looked pretty sharp for this point in the spring,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Stroman’s next step is pitching on Sunday in one of the Yankees’ split-squad Grapefruit League games.

It will mark another first for the Long Island native after signing a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees last month.

“I don’t know if I envisioned it [growing up], but playing for the New York Yankees as an organization is like the pinnacle of the sport,” Stroman said. “I feel like every player when you embark on this journey to play at the highest level, I feel like everyone wants to be a Yankee at some point.

“It’s kind of like the world-wide phenomenon you grow up watching, even if you’re not from New York. It’s an honor. I’m very grateful and thankful to be part of this organization. It’s an honor to put the pinstripes on and I don’t take that lightly. I’m excited to get to work.”

Marcus Stroman (L.) high-fives Aaron Boone at Yankees spring training on Feb. 19, 2024.
Marcus Stroman (L.) high-fives Aaron Boone at Yankees spring training on Feb. 19, 2024.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Juan Soto’s favorite player was former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

While Soto has since gotten to know Cano and played with him in the 2023 WBC, they haven’t yet talked in depth about playing for the Yankees.

“He congratulated me and told me how good it is over here,” Soto said. “But I didn’t get the chance to talk about the organization and how it’s going to be playing over [here].”

Boone said that all of the Yankees’ position players reported to camp as planned on Monday and that all of them were healthy.

Rodon ditched his mustache this year but Gleyber Torres has acquired one, though he indicated it may not last through Opening Day.

“I’m not totally [in] on the mustache,” Boone said with a grin.

Related Posts

Let MS Dhoni remain a finisher, CSK need other batters to step up: Michael Clarke

IPL 2024: Former Austrаlіа сарtаіn Mісһаel Clаrke һаs іnsіsted tһаt MS Dһonі sһould сontіnue to bаt іn tһe lower-order for CSK. Clаrke’s сomments сome аfter severаl fаns…

George Hill kickstarts Yorkshire’s climb back to Division One on truncated opening day

Seаmer’s tһree, іnсludіng Mаrсus Hаrrіs for 56, restrісted Leісestersһіre to 164 for 5 аt Heаdіngley Seаmer George Hіll сlаіmed tһree key wісkets, іnсludіng Austrаlіаn oрener Mаrсus Hаrrіs…

Nathan Lyon frustrated after ‘disappointing’ order from Cricket Australia to shorten English county season

Nаtһаn Lyon һаs reveаled һіs dіsаррoіntment tһаt Crісket Austrаlіа bosses һаve рrevented һіm from рlаyіng һіs fіrst full seаson of сounty сrісket іn Englаnd wіtһ Lаnсаsһіre. On…

‘My hands are tied’: Nathan Lyon hits back over Cricket Australia call

Nаtһаn Lyon іsn’t һаррy wіtһ Crісket Austrаlіа. Austrаlіа’s number one off-sріnner exрressed һіs frustrаtіons wіtһ tһe governіng body аfter һіs tіme іn Englаnd wаs сut sһort. Tһe…

‘I know I’m Australian …’: Why Lyon wants to follow in Warnie’s ‘footsteps’ and help Pom spinner

Nаtһаn Lyon іs “һаррy to һelр” Englіsһ sріnner аnd new Lаnсаsһіre teаmmаte Tom Hаrtley wіtһ һіs сrаft, even іf іt meаns tһe lаtter саn be “effeсtіve” on…

McSweeney’s leadership climb continues with South Australia captaincy

He reрlасes Trаvіs Heаd аnd Jаke Leһmаnn аfter аnotһer dіsаррoіntіng seаson for tһe men’s teаm Nаtһаn MсSweeney һаs been nаmed tһe new Soutһ Austrаlіа сарtаіn аs tһe…