“I needed that second live just to sharpen up a little bit more,” — Weathers, per New York Post
Weathers' Wild Card Series Snub Pays Off
The Scoop
Ryan Weathers' decision to sit out the Wild Card Series has given him a chance to pitch more often in the ALDS. The story was first reported by nypost.com.
According to baseballedit:mlb, Weathers was left off the Wild Card Series roster to give him more time to ramp up from a left forearm flexor strain that sidelined him for the final month of the regular season.
Weathers' Chance to Impact Multiple Games
Weathers has a chance to impact multiple games in the ALDS, especially with off days after Games 1, 2, and 4.
- Weathers has been back up to 96 mph in a live batting practice last week.
- He has been throwing live batting practice and bullpen sessions to get ready for the ALDS.
- Weathers said on Friday he hoped he would only need one day off in between appearances.
The Yankees' Rotation Debates
The Yankees were debating carrying 10, 11, or 12 pitchers, which could mean Weathers becoming the 11th pitcher or potentially replacing another lefty.
Weathers vs. Yarbrough
Weathers could potentially replace another lefty in Ryan Yarbrough, though Yarbrough's length could be valuable, especially with Carlos Rodón no longer expected to be an option out of the bullpen.
Weathers has a strong chance to join the roster and pitch more often in the ALDS, especially with off days after Games 1, 2, and 4.
Weathers said on Friday he felt super healthy enough to be on the roster and that he was bouncing back really well.
The Yankees had him throw another live batting practice on Monday, taking him out of consideration to be on the wild-card roster but ensuring that if they advanced, he would be available to pitch more often in the ALDS.
Weathers has a chance to impact multiple games in the ALDS, especially with off days after Games 1, 2, and 4.
He said on Friday he hoped he would only need one day off in between appearances, though the Yankees will not be rash in how they use him coming back from the injury.
Weathers has been back up to 96 mph in a live batting practice last week and has been throwing live batting practice and bullpen sessions to get ready for the ALDS.
The Yankees had a travel snafu getting here during Thursday's off day, which Boone categorized as 'first-world problems.'
The Rays are declining to reveal their rotation beyond Drew Rasmussen starting Game 1 on Saturday.
Their options to follow him include ex-Met Freddy Peralta, Fordham's Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax, and lefty Ian Seymour.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said, 'I feel like our five starters throughout the course of the year deserve to pitch a really big role in this.'
Aaron Judge seems unlikely to play for the Yankees in the ALDS vs. the Rays.
Ryan Weathers is on the roster to face the Rays, after the Yankees left him off for the AL wild-card series to give him more time to ramp up from a left forearm flexor strain that sidelined him for the final month of the regular season.
The left-hander, who pitched to a 3.60 ERA in 25 starts this season, is coming back as a reliever, likely limited to one or possibly one-plus inning at a time.
But he still offers real value for the Yankees, with Aaron Boone saying earlier this week he could play a 'massive role' moving forward.
The other lefties in the Yankees bullpen are heavily used setup man Brent Headrick and the soft-tossing Ryan Yarbrough.
Headrick lost some velocity late in the season, looking like he might be running out of gas, while Yarbrough is mostly on the roster to offer some length if the Yankees get into a tough spot.
Weathers, meanwhile, was back up to 96 mph in a live batting practice last week.
The Yankees had him throw another on Monday, taking him out of consideration to be on the wild-card roster but ensuring that if they advanced, he would be available to pitch more often in the ALDS, especially with off days after Games 1, 2, and 4.
Especially with off days after Games 1, 2, and 4, Weathers has a chance to impact multiple games.
Celeste Gallagher’s View
I've got to say, I'm loving the way this story has unfolded. Ryan Weathers' wild card snub has turned into a blessing in disguise for the Yankees. By giving him more time to ramp up from his injury, they're now in a position to use him more frequently in the ALDS. And let's be real, that's a huge advantage over the Rays, who are still deciding on their rotation. I think Weathers is a game-changer for the Yankees, and I'm excited to see how he performs. The fact that they were debating carrying 10, 11, or 12 pitchers just adds to the drama and shows how much they value his contribution.
Opinion — Celeste Gallagher. Reporting above is separate from this view.
Room for disagreement
frames the story as Weathers' return being a significant addition to the Yankees' bullpen, emphasizing his potential 'massive role' Read The New York Times’s take →
What's next
The next development to watch is how the Yankees use Weathers in the ALDS and whether he can live up to his potential.
Questions readers ask
Why did Ryan Weathers not want to throw live batting practice Monday night?
He knew it would mean not being on the roster for the AL wild-card series.
How many pitchers is the Yankees debating carrying for the ALDS?
They are considering carrying 10, 11, or 12 pitchers.
Who is likely to start Game 3 or 4 for the Yankees?
Carlos Rodón is no longer expected to be an option out of the bullpen, so another pitcher will start.
Sources
- New York Post: Yankees lefty could play ‘massive role’ out of bullpen in ALDS
- The New York Times: Will Aaron Judge play for Yankees in ALDS vs. Rays? It seems unlikely
