The Yankees released their ALCS roster on Monday ahead of Game 1 of their American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Manager Aaron Boone spoke to the media to discuss the decisions to put Anthony Rizzo and Marcus Stroman — who were left off the ALDS roster — on the team for this round among other topics.
Why was Marcus Stroman selected for ALCS roster?
The veteran right-hander was left off the ALDS roster because the team didn’t need another starter in a best-of-five series with the Kansas City Royals. Now that they are in a best-of-seven, Stroman’s ability to eat innings is massive.
“He can give us length,” Boone said of Stroman’s inclusion. “You may expect to see a guy who can give you length in a certain game but he may find himself in the biggest spot and the biggest moment of the series.”
Stroman had an up-and-down season in his first year with the Yankees, pitching to a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA. But when Gerrit Cole could not start the season due to injury, Stroman was one of the Yankees’ best pitchers.
In the first half of the season, Stroman was 7-4 with a 3.51 ERA and a .237 BAA.
“He’s a big reason why we’re here. The consistency of our starting pitchers is why we’re division winners, he’s a big part of that,” Boone continued. “He’s stayed ready, his live last week when he threw was good and I feel like he deserved to be on there.”
How close was Anthony Rizzo to not making ALCS roster?
Rizzo took a pitch to his hand in the penultimate game of the regular season and fractured two fingers. That injury took Rizzo out of the ALDS roster and nearly for longer
The Yankees didn’t place Rizzo on the IL, which would have taken him out of the first round, and although it was a pain management issue, New York took a cautious approach to their starting first baseman.
But Rizzo took steps to make it on the ALCS roster and Boone explained how long it took to make that decision and why the team ultimately felt he was ready.
“I deliberated until last night,” Boone explained. “He got hit on that Saturday and didn’t want to go on the IL based on the injury. We knew it was a long shot going into the Division Series. I saw him take some swings in the cage before the Division Series and it was pretty good but not where he needed to be. He got a lot of treatment over the next 10 days from there. He was pretty adamant that he was ready to go. Watching him out there defensively, he looks very “Anthony-ish.” Made the call and excited to get him in there.”
Update on Nestor Cortes
Cortes is, again, not on the Yankees’ roster, but Boone and the Yankees are encouraged by what they’ve seen in the southpaw’s recovery from a flexor strain.
Boone said that there was a “little bit” of consideration to put him on the ALCS roster but at ultimately felt Cortes wasn’t there yet.
“Really excited how his throwing program’s gone since he started,” Boone said. “He threw his first pen yesterday, which went well. He felt good today, throwing another bullpen on Wednesday. If that goes well he can do another live over the weekend.
“He’s still a few days behind being ready for this series, probably. We’re very encouraged by how it’s going so far.”
If Cortes continues to progress in his throwing program without issue, he can be a piece for a potential World Series roster spot.
In 31 games (30 starts), Cortes has pitched toa 9-10 record with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
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