The Blue Jays and Yankees are locked in a dead heat for the American League East title, and they are going about winning games in much the same way-slugging home runs. The Yankees currently have the edge on the hill, and Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman's latest rehab start didn't indicate help is on the way.
Toronto leads the AL in home runs (189), and the Yankees are right behind them with 182. The Jays went out and acquired an ace, David Price, near the trade deadline, and pulled themselves closer to the Yankees in terms of staff depth. They might have been counting on Stroman to return and bolster that staff even more, but he was lit up Monday afternoon and looks like he needs more time.
Stroman pitched against Pawtucket and gave up eight hits and four runs in three innings. He struck out five and walked four, indicating that his stuff is there, but his command is not. Stroman was expected to be a big part of the Blue Jays this season along with Daniel Norris. Stroman hasn't pitched an inning yet this season, while Norris was shipped out as part of the Price trade.
Last season Stroman was dynamite, going 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Those impressive numbers could've been better too; he posted a 2.84 FIP, which is considered by many to be a better predictor of future production than ERA.
Even if Stroman pitched well and was ready to return to the bigs, manager John Gibbons would have a difficult decision on whom to remove. Price and R.A. Dickey are not going to be taken out of the rotation, Mark Buehrle and Marco Estrada have been productive, and Drew Hutchison, despite a 5.07 ERA, has 13 wins.
In all likelihood, Stroman will head to the bullpen when ready, and serve as a brand new weapon late in games.
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