Yankees Marcus Stroman takes big step in his knee injury recovery

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.LOS ANGELES — Marcus Stroman finally broke out of his holding pattern and faced hitters Saturday at Dodger Stadium for the first time in three weeks.What comes next is much less clear.The Yankees’ veteran right-hander, who has been on the injured list since April 12 with left knee inflammation, had last thrown live batting practice May 9 in Tampa.

But he experienced discomfort in that session, so he had only been throwing bullpen sessions every few days since then until Saturday, when he threw around 30 pitches and the equivalent of two innings.“Stro looked sharp,” manager Aaron Boone said.“Liked what I saw from him.

… I thought his stuff looked good.”How Stroman’s knee responds to the increase in activity will determine how he proceeds, with Boone saying he did not yet know what was next.But even once he proves he is ready and goes on a rehab assignment, his role with the Yankees remains up in the air.Boone has previously said the Yankees will build up Stroman — who said in spring training he would not pitch out of the bullpen — as a starter, though they have five starters pitching well in Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough.Yarbrough began the season in the bullpen but has been sharp in four starts since moving into the rotation when Carlos Carrasco was designated for assignment.Stroman last pitched in a game April 11, when he gave up five runs in ²/₃ of an inning against the Giants, with his knee issues being revealed later that night.

He had advanced to facing hitters May 9 in Tampa, when the knee flared up again.“It seemed like it was minor, but it was lingering,” Boone said.“Then through a couple different bullpens he had, it was still there and lingering.

So we’ll see.”Stroman’s extended stay on the injured list has almost certainly ensured he w...