Chicago Cubs Pitcher Marcus Stroman Makes Anticipated Return to Toronto

Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher Marcus Stroman will start against his former team in the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

For five and a half seasons, Marcus Stroman was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He was selected by Toronto 22nd overall in the 2012 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the club in 2014. 

The Duke University product was then traded by the Blue Jays to the New York Mets at the 2019 MLB trade deadline after being named to his first All-Star team. For two seasons, Stroman was a staple in the Mets' rotation before eventually signing a deal with the Chicago Cubs in the 2022 offseason as a free agent.

On Monday, Stroman made his return to Toronto for the first time since being traded, and Blue Jays fans were elated to have the former fan-favorite back at Rogers Centre.

Although Stroman tweeted on Aug. 27 that "this has been one of the best years" of his life and that him and his family are "having the time of their lives while enjoying everything Chicago has to offer," he added that Toronto will forever hold a special place in his heart.

That became evident when Stroman took the time to meet with a young fan named Ethan and his mother who traveled from the United Kingdom to be there for Stro's "homecoming." Ethan held a sign that said "I love baseball because of Marcus Stroman." The 31-year-old took a picture with Ethan and also signed autographs, which moved the boy to tears.

What sports are all about ❤️

Marcus Stroman gave this young fan a memory that'll last a lifetime 👏⚾️

(via @SandyDShipley01) pic.twitter.com/xvOiPNlYeE

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 30, 2022

The Medford, NY native then gifted Ethan and his mother tickets to the London Series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, saying "bring all the family and friends."

Stroman will take the mound Tuesday night at Rogers Centre against Jays' starter Kevin Gausman at 7:07 p.m.

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?
2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field?

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Cubs on Twitter!