Stroman finished the Grapefruit League slate with a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings across five starts.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman signed a two-year deal with the Yankees in January, and his role with the club took on added importance when Gerrit Cole was diagnosed with an elbow injury that will likely cost him at least the first two months of the season. Though Stroman drew some criticism for turning down an opportunity to take Cole's place as the team's Opening Day starter, his reason for doing so was tied to sticking to his pitching schedule, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, and the right-handed hurler remains a critical component of New York's chance at success this season. Stroman certainly appears ready for the beginning of the campaign after finishing spring play with six shutout innings against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Stroman adjusted his hand position in Saturday's Grapefruit League outing against the Orioles and is "probably tinkering with something every single time he walks to the mound," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoch notes that Stroman held his hands a bit higher in the outing, and while it's unclear how much of an impact that made on his performance, the veteran hurler's results were excellent -- he tossed four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and no walks while striking out three batters. That was considerably better than his first start this spring, when he gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.1 frames against Philadelphia. Stroman is set to slot into the middle of New York's rotation behind Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon this season after signing a two-year deal with the team in January.

Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million deal with the Yankees on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. He also has a vesting option for a third year.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cubs worth $21 million to become a free agent this offseason. Though he'll sacrifice a bit from that mark in annual value, he locked in at least one additional year of security. Stroman has dealt with injuries in the last two seasons, but he has maintained an ERA of 3.50 or below in three of the last four campaigns and is a strong addition to a rotation that already features Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon.

Stroman opted out of his contract with the Cubs and became a free agent Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman was set to make $21 million during the final season of the three-year deal he signed in 2021, but he will forego the money and instead test the free agent market during the offseason. Across 136.2 innings, the 32-year-old righty put up a 3.95 ERA -- his worst mark since 2018 -- but he's been reliable enough throughout his career to warrant a multi-year contract.

Stroman (10-9) allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and struck out two without walking a batter over two innings, taking the loss versus Atlanta on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman has pitched eight innings over four appearances since returning from a stint on the injured list, allowing eight runs (five earned) in that span. The right-hander appears set to be a relief option if the Cubs are able to secure a wild-card spot. Stroman is at a 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 119:52 K:BB through 136.2 innings across 27 outings (25 starts) this season.

Stroman is slated to start Thursday's game in Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

After making his first two appearances as a reliever following his activation from the 15-day injured list Sept. 15, Stroman rejoined the rotation Saturday. However, he was capped at three innings while taking a no-decision against Colorado, giving up three runs on five hits and one walk. Though Stroman will make a second straight turn through the rotation, he could be capped at around 75-to-90 pitches after building up to 64 on Saturday. The Cubs could once again choose to deploy Stroman in tandem with Javier Assad, who tossed four scoreless frames in relief of the right-hander against the Rockies.

Stroman did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over three innings against Colorado. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman wasn't particularly sharp in his first start since landing on the injured list Aug. 2, needing 64 pitches (39 strikes) to make it through three frames and allowing three earned runs in the second inning. In the first half of the season, he posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 112.2 innings, earning Stroman an All-Star nod for the second time in his nine-year MLB career. However, the second half hasn't been so kind to the veteran righty, as he endured a six-week stay on the injured list and has posted a 9.41 ERA with a 1.95 WHIP across 22 innings since the All-Star break. If he remains in the rotation, Stroman currently lines up to face the Brewers on the road in the Cubs' final regular-season series.

Stroman will start Saturday's game in Chicago against the Rockies, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman has been working in relief since he returned last Friday from a lengthy absence due to hip inflammation and a rib cage cartilage fracture. He didn't throw more than 31 pitches in a single outing during his stay in the bullpen, but the right-hander has presumably stretched himself out in side sessions ahead of jumping back into the rotation. Colorado's offense struggles away from Coors Field, sitting dead last in MLB in road wRC+ at 75, so Stroman might carry some fantasy streaming appeal in Saturday's matchup even if his workload is capped.

Stroman struck out one and allowed a hit and an unearned run over an inning of relief in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Diamondbacks in 13 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Stroman worked out of the bullpen for the second straight day, giving the righty three total innings of relief work after not pitching in a game since the end of July. Stroman was arguably the team's best starter earlier in the season, but at this point, the Cubs seem content using him as a reliever as he builds back up following the absence. He could give the rotation a boost if the team makes the playoffs, though fantasy managers may not be able to take advantage.

Stroman (ribs) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs were down 6-0 when Stroman entered the game, though he kept it close enough for them to threaten with a ninth-inning rally. The right-hander hadn't made a relief appearance since his rookie year in 2014, though this may have been a way for the Cubs to get him some game action prior to a return to the rotation. He's at a 3.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB through 130.2 innings over 24 appearances (23 starts) this season. The Cubs haven't specified when Stroman will make his first start after a six-week absence.