Ryan Weathers Added to Yankees' ALDS Roster After Injury Recovery
The left-handed pitcher returns to the bullpen after a month-long absence due to a forearm strain.
The New York Yankees have added left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers to their American League Division Series roster, providing a boost to their bullpen.
Weathers was sidelined for the final month of the regular season with a left forearm flexor strain. He was omitted from the AL wild-card series roster to allow additional time for his recovery and ramp-up.
"He feels super healthy enough to be on [the roster]," Weathers said Friday. "Bouncing back really well."
The Yankees anticipate Weathers playing a "massive role" in the ALDS, according to manager Aaron Boone. Weathers, who made 25 starts this season and posted a 3.60 ERA, is expected to work in relief, likely for one to two innings at a time.
His return offers a significant addition to the Yankees' bullpen, which includes other lefties Brent Headrick and Ryan Yarbrough. Headrick has shown signs of fatigue late in the season, while Yarbrough is primarily utilized for length in longer outings.
Weathers demonstrated his readiness by throwing at 96 mph during a live batting practice session last week and participated in another session on Monday. This pitching progression kept him from being available for the wild-card series but ensured his readiness for the ALDS should the Yankees advance, which they have.
The presence of off-days in the ALDS schedule, particularly after Games 1, 2, and 4, presents opportunities for Weathers to impact multiple games. The team plans to manage his workload carefully as he returns from injury.
