Yankees' Marcus Stroman Returns from Knee Injury to Start Sunday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is set to return from a left knee inflammation injury and start Sunday's game against the Athletics, according to manager Aaron Boone. Stroman has been sidelined since April 12 and completed three minor league rehab starts, although he struggled with a combined 6.97 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 10 1/3 innings during rehab. His return is partly driven by the Yankees placing No. 5 starter Ryan Yarbrough on the injured list with an oblique strain. Despite his struggles prior to injury and during rehab, including allowing 12 runs over 9.1 major league innings and similar numbers in the minors, the Yankees are moving forward with his activation out of necessity. The team monitored Stroman through a bullpen session before confirming the start, and Boone emphasized checking all the boxes to ensure he was ready to pitch. Stroman is in the second year of a two-year contract with a conditional player option for 2026 based on innings pitched this season.