Yankees opt for added speed as Marcus Stroman Mark Leiter Jr. left off ALDS ros

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The Yankees have their 26-man roster set for the ALDS, opting for 11 pitchers and 15 position players to add some speed off the bench.  Pitchers Marcus Stroman and Mark Leiter Jr. were left off the roster while Tim Mayza made it as a second lefty reliever and outfielder  Bruce Brown Jr. Jersey Duke Ellis made it as a pinch-running threat.  The schedule for the five-game series  including days off after Games 1, 2 and 4  allowed the Yankees to take fewer pitchers than usual.  Marcus Stroman of the Yankees pitches during a workout before the 2024 ALDS at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 1.  Getty Images  They only needed three starters (Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt), while the rest of their pitchers will be able to throw frequently.  Follow The Posts coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:  Explore More  With the Yankees bench will be Ja son Dominguez, Trent Grisham, Jose Trevino, Jon Berti, Ellis and Ben Rice or Oswaldo Cabrera (whoever does not start at first base).  Berti and Cabrera represent speed threats, but they are also valuable for their defensive versatility, which could allow Aaron Boone to get more aggre sive with using Ellis as a pinch-runner.  Yankees pitcher Mark Leiter Jr.  Corey Sipkin for the NY POST  Stroman, who was moved to the bullpen midway through September before getting one last start when Nestor Cortes got injured, does not have the swing-and-mi s stuff that is valuable as a reliever, especially in the playoffs.  Leiter does, but he was hit hard after being acquired from the Cubs at the deadline, posting a 4.98 ERA and giving up six home runs in 21 appearances with the Yankees.  Jake Cousins made it back from a strained pec in time to make the roster whileAnthony Rizzo (fractured fingers) did not.  Duke Ellis made the Yankees ALDS roster.  Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images  The veteran first baseman said Friday night he hopes to be able to return in time for the ALCS if the team makes it there.  Yankees 2024 ALDS Roster  Catchers:  Austin Wells, Jose Trevino  Infielders:  Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jon Berti, Oswaldo Cabrera, Ben Rice  Outfielders:  Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Ja son Dominguez, Trent Grisham, Duke Ellis  DH:  Giancarlo Stanton  Pitchers:  Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill, Tim Mayza  Chauncey Billups Jersey