The New York Yankees just received an unfortunate injury update on Ryan Weathers.
New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers has been sidelined since late last month due to an elbow flexor strain, an injury that was thankfully not too serious.
However, it does not look like Weathers will be returning for the regular season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently revealed that the team does not expect to get the hard-throwing lefty back before the playoffs, which obviously complicates things for New York's pitching staff.
The hope was that Weathers would be able to return in late September and ramp up just a bit for the postseason, where he would then serve as a dynamic bullpen arm.
But that might not happen now.
Boone is unsure if Weathers will even be able to pitch in the playoffs, which should come as no surprise considering he last appeared in a game back on Aug. 22.
This absolutely throws a wrench into the Yankees' postseason plans.
It's no secret that New York's bullpen is thoroughly gassed heading into October. The Yankees have been trying to limit Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn as much as they can, but with those two comprising their only truly reliable relievers outside of David Bednar, Boone has essentially been forced to use them.
Weathers' presence in the playoffs would obviously change things. Not only is he a southpaw who could be used in lieu of Headrick, but but he is also a starter who could be stretched across multiple innings if need be.
The Yankees will still have right-hander Will Warren for that long relief role, but it would be much nicer to have both Warren and Weathers as options.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that Weathers will be completely unavailable if he's healthy, but will he be able to get back on track by the postseason? And will Boone trust him considering he hasn't faced live batters in a month?
It's just the latest blow for a New York squad that has been absolutely ravaged by injuries this season.
When healthy, the Yankees are probably the best team in the American League (sorry Tampa) and potentially legitimate challengers to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But we haven't seen a full-strength New York ballclub at any point this season, and things just keep getting worse.
