Yankees' Marcus Stroman: 'I’m a starter. I won’t pitch in the bullpen'

Marcus Stroman reported to New York Yankees spring training on Friday after missing the first two days of workouts and said he will refuse to pitch out of the bullpen.

"I won't pitch in the bullpen. I'm a starter," he said, repeating "I'm a starter" seven times in a 13-second span.

Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are the Yankees' top five starters, and a bullpen role for Stroman appears possible if he isn't traded and the others don't get hurt.

"We're building him up to be a starting pitcher and that's so far out there," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "As we go, when things come up, we'll address them."

While the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are planning six-man rotations, Boone said the Yankees are unlikely to do so.

"Never say never. I don't necessarily see us doing that," Boone said. "Reality is we're probably getting 10, 11 guys ready to be starters and who knows how many of them you're going to have to use right away or at some point during the season?"

Stroman is to throw a bullpen on Saturday. Among the shorter pitchers in the major leagues at 5-foot-7, he spoke of his durability.

"How many people can stay healthy and do it 30-plus starts year after year and year, especially after being the one that they said could never do it at my size?" Stroman said.

Though the 33-year-old right-hander isn't required to participate in spring training until Feb. 22, according to the collective bargaining agreement, most players arrive on the voluntary reporting date.

"I just felt like today was a good day to come," Stroman said. "Valentine's Day, I feel like the vibes are going to be proper. Everyone's happy on this day."

Stroman had spoken with Boone about the timing of his arrival.