Marcus Stroman is back in the picture.
The veteran who had struggled to begin this season and struggled during a rehab assignment will get a chance to put those issues behind him, tabbed to be the starter for Sunday’s series finale against the A’s.
Before Friday’s 3-0 series-opening win in The Bronx, manager Aaron Boone said the club had not yet decided whether Stroman or Allan Winans would get the ball.
After the game — and after Boone watched Stroman throw a bullpen session that left him encouraged — the decision to give the 34-year-old another shot was reached.
“Wanted to see him today, make sure he was in a good spot, good with his pen and everything,” Boone said of Stroman, who finished an uninspiring rehab assignment in which he pitched to a 6.97 ERA in three outings.
In his most recent start, Tuesday with Double-A Somerset, the righty allowed five runs on 10 hits in 3 ²/₃ innings.
Often a rehabbing pitcher — Stroman had been recovering from left knee inflammation that has sidelined him since April 11— will work on his stuff and his mechanics and ignore the results, and the club will hope that is the case.
The Yankees decided against Winans, though the righty remains on the active roster and warmed up Friday when Will Warren slogged through a long first inning.
The 29-year-old righty made his club debut in Cincinnati on Monday, when he threw three scoreless frames before being knocked around in the fourth inning, charged with four runs in 4 ¹/₃ innings.
The soft-tossing Winans had impressed with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with whom he owned just a 0.90 ERA in 50 innings and 11 games this season.
The club has needed to replace Ryan Yarbrough, who was placed on the IL with a strained oblique on Sunday.
Ben Rice caught Warren in his second career start behind the plate and received strong reviews from Warren and Boone.
Boone wanted Austin Wells to receive two consecutive days of rest, including Thursday’s off day, while J.C. Escarra was away from the team with his wife due to give birth.
Escarra had not officially been placed on the paternity list. Boone said the team expected Escarra back Sunday and had been prepared to call up a player to replace him, but complications changed their plans: Outfielder Everson Pereira went on the paternity list, and infielder Braden Shewmake got hurt.
Luis Gil threw a live session at Double-A Somerset on Thursday and is set to throw a side session this weekend.
He is expected to throw another live next week, when he should build up to two “innings” and 35 pitches, before the Yankees decide whether another live is required or whether he would begin a rehab assignment.
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year suffered a lat strain in spring training.
Jonathan Loáisiga was feeling “better,” Boone said, and was expected to play catch before the game.
The righty left the stadium early Wednesday afternoon, wearing a mask, with an undisclosed illness.
The odd man out of the lineup against righty Mitch Spence: Jasson Domínguez, despite his four hits Wednesday.
Boone continually cycles through a roster that contains more bats that belong in the lineup than lineup spots.
“Everyone obviously wants to be in there every day,” Boone said. “And for the most part, they’ve been able to be in there most days and stay regular … so guys are able to remain sharp.
“But one thing that has been evident from that group … they just want to win and understand there’s roles that come with that sometimes.”
