TAMPA, Fla. — Marcus Stroman returned to Yankees camp on Friday.

The righty reported on time for a mandatory physical on Tuesday but did not participate in official, on-field workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday and Thursday. While the collective bargaining agreement states players don’t have to participate in workouts until Feb. 22, Stroman’s absence sparked questions after an offseason of trade rumors.

“I’m early, technically,” Stroman said Friday morning. “At this stage in my career, I put a priority on getting my body ready. I don’t think there was a need for me to be here the last few days, given the climate. I talked to [Aaron Boone]. We had a great conversation. Everything’s honestly perfect and seamless, and my relationship with the guys in the clubhouse hasn’t changed. So I feel great to be back and I’m ready to roll.”

Stroman declined to elaborate on what he meant by “climate,” but he is not a projected member of the Yankees’ rotation with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt all ahead of him on the depth chart.

“We’ll see how it plays out. I’m a starter,” Stroman said, repeating the latter line multiple times.

He said that sentence was not a statement — he has been a starter his whole career, after all — but Stroman also added, “I won’t pitch in the bullpen.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman called Stroman’s prior absence “no big deal.” The general manager has seen late arrivals in the past, including Rickey Henderson and Pascual Pérez.

Cashman also downplayed Stroman’s stance on being a starter, stating that he agrees with the hurler. Of course, that doesn’t mean Stroman will crack the rotation.

“That’s vintage Stro. He’s a competitor,” the GM said. “Let’s just see how everything plays out.”

When asked about Stroman’s insistence on starting, Boone, “glad” to have the pitcher back, noted the date.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” the manager said. “It’s Feb. 14. So you’re getting way ahead of this thing. We’re getting him ready. We’re building him up to be a starting pitcher. That’s so far out there. We’ll obviously address anything we have to once we get into certain situations. But right now, the focus is getting him ready to go.”

Stroman also referenced the holiday when asked why he chose to report Friday instead of waiting until Feb. 22.

“Just felt like today was a good day to come,” the 33-year-old said. “Valentine’s Day, feel like the vibes are gonna be proper. Everyone’s happy on this day, so I felt like it was a good day to come.”

Stroman may not be happy, however, if he doesn’t end up in the Yankees’ rotation.

Injuries can always pop up during spring training, and Stroman would be next in line in such a scenario. But Boone said he doesn’t see himself using a six-man rotation, though he did throw in a caveat: “Never say never.”

“I’m focused on today,” Stroman said, as a lot can happen between now and opening day.

The Bombers have made attempts to trade Stroman since the offseason began, but his $18 million salary has proven prohibitive. He also has a 2026 option that will vest if he throws 140 innings this season, and the remaining availability of some free-agent starters means teams have other options.

Cashman wouldn’t comment on whether he’s tried to trade Stroman, other than to say that he’s “always open minded.” He did say that Stroman has not requested a trade.

Cashman also said “I don’t have any regrets” regarding Stroman’s contract. He cited how Stroman helped the Yankees in the first half last season when Cole went down with elbow inflammation.

When asked about the trade rumors that have followed him for months, Stroman said he’s “detached” in the offseason, though he did acknowledge them on social media in December.

“I’m so grounded at this point, nothing can really faze me,” Stroman said, adding that his relationship with Boone and Cashman is perfect. “I know who I am as a pitcher. I can compete at any level with any team, and if I’m here, if I’m not here, my body’s ready to roll. I’m ready to go out there and get 30-plus starts.”

Asked if he wants to stick with the Yankees, Stroman said, “I’m good wherever I may be,” before sharing how much he loves his teammates. His peers, including Gil, Schmidt and Cole, have talked about him in a similar manner.

Stroman has been throwing and facing hitters. Boone said he was scheduled for a bullpen on Saturday.

“I can go seven [innings] right now,” Stroman said.

Stroman’s return to camp also marked the return of some normalcy for him, as he said he had a “tough offseason” and spent lots of time with family after losing his home in Malibu to the recent fires that ravaged the area. He also pleaded for donations to The Assistance League of Los Angeles, which has been helping those affected by the fires.

“I was out there for the first part of it, and then had to evacuate, had to evacuate my family,” said Stroman, who also has a home near the Yankees’ complex in Tampa. “I don’t even want to talk about it because I’m gonna get emotional. That’s my second home out there. I spend a lot of time out there. Me and my son, our main meeting point is Palisades, so I spend a lot of time in Pacific Palisades, Malibu. That’s like my home-home. My home is completely gone.”

Added Boone: “Getting to experience Stro in a full season last year, he was a pro. He’s someone that I got a lot of love and respect for. So of course you feel for those kinds of things.”

Stroman is coming off a disappointing debut season in the Bronx.

The Long Island native got off on the right foot in 2024, recording a 2.60 ERA over his first 12 starts. Then he logged a 5.70 ERA over his last 18 games. That span included a bumped start and a demotion to the bullpen. Stroman finished the year with a 4.31 ERA over 154 2/3 innings.

Stroman’s move to the bullpen only featured one appearance, a three-inning save on Sept. 17.

He didn’t pitch in any playoff games, either, despite making the Yankees’ World Series and ALCS rosters.

“Playoffs, there’s different roles that call for you to be in different circumstances,” Stroman said when asked if he was unhappy with his usage at the end of last season. “I was completely fine with that.

“But overall, I’m a starter. I’ve been doing this 10-plus years.”

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