Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. For most of the year, Marcus Stromans spot in the rotation has been in flux. It started in Alberto Mendoza Jersey spring training. It continued when he landed on the injured list with left knee inflammation following three starts. Shaky rehab starts didnt help. But in his return from a lengthy absence Sunday, Stroman made a case to factor into the Yankees rotation plans moving forward, to sing five efficient innings during which he allowed just three hits and one homer and needed just 74 pitches. Even as the injury lingered, with the discomfort stemming from an ACL tear and surgery back in 2015, Stroman never wavered in his thinking about whether he could return to the level of pitching to close their series in The Bronx. Marcus Stroman pitches during the Yankees-As game on June 29, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST I tore my ACL and made it back in five months, Stroman said, so I dont do doubt. So I knew Id be back at some point, it was just a matter of when. He encountered a brief scare early in his outing when Max Muncys comebacker drilled him in the hamstring with one out in the second. It crushed him, Stroman said. Pretty firm, he added, while acknowledging that hell almost certainly feel something Monday. But after a visit from manager Aaron Boone and a trainer and one warmup pitch to catcher Ben Rice Stroman never considered exiting. Explore More Adrenaline is a great drug, Stroman said. Boone acknowledged pregame that Stroman wasnt built all the way up, and the 34-year-old had collected a 6.97 ERA acro s three rehab starts with Double-A Somerset. A smooth return to the majors was far from guaranteed. But Stroman didnt surrender an extra-base hit until As catcher Willie MacIver homered in the fifth, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. helped him escape a jam in the third by starting a nifty double play. Marcus Stroman (No. 0) embraces J.C. Escarra (No. 22) during the Yankees-As game on June 29, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Stroman also used a pitch mix with his sinker, cutter and different breaking balls that was a little unpredictable, Boone said. Still, the path to consistent starts will continue to remain complicated. Luis Gil could begin a rehab a signment soon after another live batting practice or two. CHECK OUT THE AND Ryan Yarbrough, who can start and pitch out of the bullpen, became an unexpected succe s story before landing on the injured list earlier this month. The first challenge for Stroman involved returning from his knee injury. He isnt concerned about any sorene s lingering between starts. Marcus Stroman looks on during the Yankees-As game on June 29, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST The next step will involve the results, given his 11.57 ERA in three outings to open the year. And Sunday marked an important glimpse of progre s for both layers. I just feel like Ive done a really good job putting my body and my mechanics in a better position, Stroman said. Its been a proce s, but yeah, I feel good. I feel like this was a good building block to the next start. Camden Jordan Jersey