Stroman, 34, made three appearances prior to going on the injured list. He surrendered 12 runs (all earned) on 12 hits and seven walks. He struck out seven of the 47 batters he faced. Over the previous three seasons, Stroman had compiled a 106 ERA+ and a 2.37 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 82 appearances.

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 that helped the Yankees defeat the A’s 12-5 to close their series in The Bronx.