Meantime, Yankees GM Brian Cashman surely will continue attempts to trade Stroman, who has an $18-million contract for 2025 and a conditional $18 million player option for 2026 that can be vested if he pitches 130 innings this season.

Sources say he is taking advantage of a CBA clause that states players are not required to be on the field for spring training until Feb. 22

It has been difficult to miss his absence from drills, when some starters are already throwing live batting practice sessions.

Shortly after failing to cover first base in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, Cole opted out of what was remaining of the nine-year, $324 million deal he signed in December 2019. Cole presented the Yankees with the option to add a year to the deal worth $36 million or he would become a free agent.

Three years later, Aaron Judge hit an American League record hitting 62 homers in 2022, then he stayed with the Yankees that offseason after testing free agency on a bigger deal, $360 million for 10 seasons.

The 34-year-old right-hander exercised his right to opt out of his contract on the third day after the World Series.

The Yankees still need to figure out their starting third baseman, leadoff hitter and more in the next six weeks.

New York Yankees non-roster pitcher Eric Reyzelman was hospitalized Wednesday due to an allergic reaction and taken to nearby St. Joseph's Hospital.