Marcus Stroman believes he’s figured out some mechanical issues that may have caused his recent downturn on the mound, which set the table for the right-hander’s two worst starts of the season.
The Yankees bumped back his start from Friday until Sunday against Texas so he could throw an extra bullpen session.
“I was able to get some work in and hone in on some things,” Stroman said prior to Thursday’s loss to the Angels in The Bronx. “It was good timing, the way everything played out for a little breather before my next start.”
Tuesday’s rainout allowed Carlos Rodon to take Friday’s start, with Gerrit Cole to start Saturday and Stroman sliding back two days.
The team pushed a Cole start last week in Philadelphia due to general body fatigue and believe he’s turned a corner.
They have to hope for the same from Stroman, as their once overperforming rotation entered Thursday with an MLB-worst 6.15 ERA since June 15.
Stroman said he’s only really struggled for the previous two starts, but his issues go back considerably longer.
After putting up a 2.60 ERA in his first dozen starts with the Yankees, Stroman has a 6.32 ERA in his last 10 outings.
And his results grew worse more recently, as he was knocked out in the fourth inning against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, which was followed by a 2 ²/₃-inning, seven-run nightmare against the Blue Jays his last time out.
“I guess it’s been pretty frustrating,” Stroman said of the recent stretch. “But I’m also a realist. I put my season as a whole and see how good I’ve been in certain spurts. I know it hasn’t been 10 starts in a row where I’ve been off. It’s been a few.”
Those last 10 outings are fairly alarming, though, as is the fact the 33-year-old faded badly after June with the Cubs after a strong opening three months.
This time, Stroman has gone six straight outings without getting through six innings and his fastball velocity has dipped of late.
The drop in velocity is not an issue, according to Stroman.
“It’s not really a concern,” Stroman said. “If I’m making my pitches, I’m not concerned about my velocity. It’s more about location for me and action. Those are the things I’m looking for.”
The added bullpen session was designed to get Stroman’s delivery to be “more repetitive,” something he said he’s dealt with before.
“We all go through it,” Stroman said. “I’ve been in the league 10 years now. I’ve been here before, when you kind of lose it in certain spurts and get it right back with a few adjustments.”