Veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman (34, New York Yankees), who allowed the season's first home run to Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants), was jeered off the field. Already struggling, he also sustained an injury.

Stroman started on the 12th (Korean time) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, for a home game against the San Francisco Giants in the 2025 Major League Baseball season, allowing 4 hits (1 home run) in ⅔ inning, issuing 3 walks, striking out 1, and giving up 5 runs.

The Yankees lost 1-9, resulting in Stroman's first loss of the season, with his earned run average skyrocketing from 7.27 to 11.57. He had already failed to complete 5 innings in three consecutive games, allowing 5 hits (1 home run) over 4⅔ innings with 1 walk and 3 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on the 31st of last month, and giving up 4 runs over 4 innings with 3 hits and 3 walks against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the 6th.

Stroman couldn't last even an inning against San Francisco that day. Despite the heavy rainfall, his pitching was too poor. After giving up a right-field line drive double to Mike Yastrzemski, he issued a walk to Willy Adames after a full-count battle, and then allowed a three-run home run to Lee Jung-hoo. A sinker on the 3rd pitch, clocked at 89.4 miles per hour (143.9 km/h), was too center-cut and sailed over the right-center fence, marking Lee Jung-hoo's first home run of the season.

Following that, Stroman loaded the bases with consecutive walks to Matt Chapman and Elliott Ramos, before allowing a two-run double on a right-field line drive to Lamonte Wade Jr. He was hit hard on a 6th pitch four-seam fastball at 88.4 miles per hour (142.3 km/h).

Stroman struck out Wilmer Flores with a foul tip and got Patrick Bailey to fly out to left field for two outs, but after giving up a single to Tyler Fitzgerald, he was pulled with two outs and runners on first and third. It took a staggering 46 pitches just to register 2 outs. Yankees manager Aaron Boone came to the mound to make the pitching change, and Stroman left the game amid intense boos from the home fans.

Stroman threw six types of pitches: sinker (18), four-seam fastball (11), curveball (8), splitter (4), slider (3), and cutter (2), but failed to entice the batters. His four-seam fastball reached a top speed of 90.1 miles per hour (145.0 km/h), while his sinker averaged 89.9 miles per hour (144.7 km/h), making it easy for the batters to hit him.

Stroman did not have his usual velocity, indicating a physical issue. According to local media, including The Athletic, Stroman felt pain in his left knee after his outing. He underwent an X-ray at the stadium and was transported to a local hospital for further examination. Boone noted, "Stroman said his left knee was uncomfortable after being replaced. We'll have to see what the situation is."

The Athletic pointed out that "Stroman insists he is a starting pitcher, but it doesn’t seem like there are many days left like that," adding, "Regardless of the test results, it appears he is not in a condition to pitch as a starting pitcher." Boone has said, "A few adjustments could make Stroman effective," but it should be taken as a public statement.

After debuting in 2014 and amassing 87 wins over 11 seasons in the Major League, veteran Stroman, who has been an All-Star twice, showed a decline in performance with an earned run average in the 5s (5.98) in the second half of last year, and did not get a chance to pitch in the postseason. The Yankees attempted to trade for him last winter, but with a salary of $18.5 million this year and a $18 million player option for next year, no team was willing to take on such an expensive player.

Frustrated by ongoing trade rumors throughout the winter, Stroman was late to join spring training in February. After skipping the second day of scheduled workouts, he refused to shift to bullpen duties, stating in the camp's first interview, "I am a starting pitcher. I will not pitch in the bullpen." Although he maintained his starting position after ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined for the season due to elbow Tommy John surgery, he faced his worst career scenario after struggling in three consecutive games and then getting injured. The three-run home run he allowed to Lee Jung-hoo may be a painful blow.

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