New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers could be a massive X-factor in the MLB playoffs.
New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers was enjoying a terrific debut campaign in the Bronx until last month, when an elbow flexor strain ended up sidelining him.
Weathers has not pitched since Aug. 22, but the left-hander has been throwing in the week leading up to the playoffs and could be placed on the Yankees' Wild Card roster.
Weathers is a bit of a wild card himself.
Because it has been so long since the 26-year-old has actually seen live action, using him in the postseason carries some risks. He did not go through any sort of minor-league rehab, and while he looked healthy throwing this week, manager Aaron Boone did say that he looked "scattered" during his session on Friday.
Clearly, Weathers is still a bit rusty, which is a concern. But if he is able to get himself right by next Tuesday, when New York opens its Wild Card playoff series against the Boston Red Sox, he could comprise a massive X-factor for the Yanks.
Weathers absolutely has the stuff to come out of the bullpen, flashing 97 mph velocity on his four-seam fastball and some nasty breaking stuff that resulted in the former Miami Marlins hurler posting a 9.4 K/9 this season.
Weathers did not come out of the pen for the Yankees at all this year, but he has some experience with it from his San Diego Padres days early in his career.
Considering New York's bullpen is absolutely gassed and will now officially be without Fernando Cruz, whose comeback bid fell short, Weathers could prove incredibly valuable.
Will Warren will be transitioning into a relief role for the postseason, as well, which will definitely help. But having both Warren and Weathers available for the later innings could be a game-changer for the Yankees.
Boone has relied heavily on Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn to build a bridge to David Bednar throughout 2026, particularly over the last month-plus with Cruz sidelined. Both pitchers have racked up a ton of mileage, so you do have to wonder where they are at physically heading into October.
Enter Weathers, a southpaw who can absolutely spell Headrick and potentially be even more lethal.
The Yankees have actually had one of the better bullpens in baseball this season, but coming up empty on relievers at the MLB trade deadline definitely stung. The late-season addition of John Schreiber has proved helpful, but they could use some more oomph later in games.
That's where Weathers comes into the picture. If Boone is able to trust him enough to put him on New York's Wild Card roster, he could end up being a major difference maker.
