The Yankees‘ Division Series roster is missing a prominent name. Marcus Stroman will not be participating in the Bombers’ first-round matchup against the Kansas City Royals. The right-hander’s struggles down the stretch this season combined with a need for only three starting pitchers this series led to him being left off the roster. “[The conversation with Stroman] was good,” said Aaron Boone. “A hard decision, obviously, you know, especially going down to the very end, still considering 12 pitchers, 11 pitchers, and then where’s the role. Obviously, this series, potentially only needing three starters, having four on [the roster], so you just felt like for the role in this series, better to go with another reliever.” Stroman was relegated out of the rotation in the final weeks of the season — but was later placed back in due to Nestor Cortes’ elbow injury. The Yanks tried to carve a role for the right-hander out of the bullpen as he tossed three innings in relief on Sept. 17 against the Seattle Mariners. However, the Yankees’ manager decided to shy away from that role for the 33-year-old in October. The veteran inked a two-year, $37 million contract with the Bombers this past offseason. Stroman pitched to a 4.31 ERA over 29 starts this season. CLOSE CALL IN PEN One of the Yankees’ biggest needs entering the trade was addressing the bullpen. Brian Cashman went out and acquired two relievers, Enyel De Los Santos – who was DFA’d on on Aug. 14 after just five appearances with a 14.21 ERA — and Mark Leiter Jr. Leiter Jr. remains with the Yanks, however, he is not on the ALDS roster. “Close call,” said Boone. “Obviously, only going 11 pitchers here. Just felt like a number of guys — and he was very much in the mix until the very end — but we felt like because of a number of guys performing really well for and I feel like [Tim] Mayza coming over and kinda in that same bucket. Obviously, Tim being a lefty and very good against lefties but Leiter’s bread and butter too is getting lefties out. “Just felt like this was the way we wanted to go.” The 33-year-old appeared in 21 games for the Yanks and pitched to a 4.98 ERA. STILL NO DECISION FOR GAME 3 The Yankees still have not named a Game 3 starter and appear as if they won’t until Tuesday. Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are the clear candidates to start Wednesday’s game in Kansas City, however, it remains to be seen who will actually get the ball. Gil made 29 starts this season to a 3.50 ERA and a candidate to bring home the AL Rookie of the Year award. Schmidt, however, has just 16 starts under his belt due to a lat injury suffered in May. The right-hander has experience out of the bullpen where he’s made 30 career appearances. Gil has never relieved in his major league career.