Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman’s isn’t looking at 140 innings as a goal for this season to trigger an $18-million player option for 2026. The extra starter — No. 6 in a five-man rotation — wants to blow by 140 into a territory that he hasn’t been to in any of his last seven seasons.

Stroman faded badly in his first year in the Bronx, pitching to a 5.98 ERA in the second half and becoming an afterthought on the team's postseason rosters. His contract quickly went underwater, and the team wasted no time signaling that it wanted to move on,

Marcus Stroman does not feel he needs to win a rotation spot, because in his mind he is not competing for a spot.

The time is nearing for Marcus Stroman, who will soon pitch in Spring Training with the New York Yankees in a sort of test to see how ready he is to be a starter. It’s worth noting that weeks ago, Marcus Stroman made it clear that he didn’t want to be a reliever and that his sole focus is as a starter.

Stroman will start Friday’s game against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field, manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday, putting the potential odd man out of the Yankees’ rotation right into the spotlight. The veteran right-hander has not faced hitters since arriving at camp on Friday, but had done so beforehand and will just throw one inning on Friday.

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman had more interesting things to say after he pitched a scoreless inning starting Friday's Grapefruit League opener.

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TAMPA — Marcus Stroman started the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Rays in the Grapefruit League opener Friday and tossed a scoreless inning.