Marcus Stroman missing from spring training after Yankees trade attempts

TAMPA — Marcus Stroman, whom the Yankees have tried to trade through the offseason, has not participated in the first two days of on-field pitcher and catcher drills.

By rule, the mandatory report date is Feb. 22 and there was an expectation that Stroman would be in uniform and participating before then, possibly as early as Friday or Saturday.

Stroman was at Steinbrenner Field early this week to take the mandatory physicals and manager Aaron Boone reported the two had a convivial conversation.

Boone also noted that Stroman was in good spirits and in good physical condition.

Stroman lives in the Tampa area and is known as a hard worker off the field. But it has been difficult to miss his absence from drills, when some starters are already throwing live batting practice sessions.

Boone, always publicly tactful, has refused to describe anyone as the odd-man out of the rotation.

But the Yankee starting five, with health, is almost certain to be Gerritt Cole, Max Fried, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt.