New York Yankees Only Have One Solution for Ryan Weathers

Ryan Weathers has now made four starts for the New York Yankees this season, and while he hasn't gotten an ounce of run support, he hasn't been great.

Weathers owns a 4.29 ERA and was last seen surrendering four home runs — including three consecutive dingers at one point — in a loss to the Los Angeles Angeles earlier this week.

His peripherals actually look pretty good, as his .353 BABIP indicates bad luck, and his 12.0 K/9 has certainly been impressive.

But with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole both returning soon, likely in that order, there is no question that Weathers' spot in the starting rotation is in jeopardy.

Weathers and Luis Gil are the two pitchers most in danger of losing their jobs once the Yankees get healthy. Max Fried and Cam Schlittler are locks, and it seems like Will Warren has done enough to all but guarantee himself a rotation slot, as well.

So, where does that leave Weathers and Gil?

Well, New York traded four prospects — including prized outfielder Dillon Lewis — to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Weathers back in January, so surely, the Yankees will want to find some type of role for him.

Gil? The former AL Rookie of the Year is out of options, so New York can't just send him down to the minors like it did coming out of Spring Training. Putting him in the bullpen would be tough too due to his command issues. A trade? It's possible, but his value is as low as its ever been.

But how about sliding Weathers into a bullpen role once Rodon gets back?

Yes, Weathers has been the superior starter to Gil thus far in 2026, but he seems more suited for a bullpen role than the latter, and he'll probably have to move there anyway at some point this season. Cole, Fried, Rodon, Schlittler and Warren is the likely long-term rotation, after all.

While the Yanks could place Weathers on the trade block, it would probably be difficult for them to get better value than what they traded to acquire him. Unless the Yankees want to just abort the Weathers mission, he'll probably be staying put.

But considering how hard he throws and how much potential he has shown as a strikeout artist this season (something he did not really display during his days with the San Diego Padres and the Marlins), a relief role could be what's best for the left-hander.

Weathers' control has been good enough this year, as he has walked seven batters in 21 innings. He averaged just 2.5 walks per nine frames in 2024, and in just eight starts last season, he was at 2.8.

The 26-year-old definitely struggled finding the strike zone earlier in his career, but Miami appeared to have helped him fix that, so unlike Gil, he might be able to transition into a bullpen niche rather easily.

Weathers can regularly touch 97 mph on his fastball, and with some pretty nasty breaking stuff, one could see him comfortably settling into a middle relief role. Heck, he might even have to moonlight as a closer with David Bednar laboring.

At this point, the bullpen seems like the most obvious path for Weathers, and he himself probably knows it, too.

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