New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers is presenting a compelling case for a rotation spot, further complicating the team's pitching decisions as other starters approach recovery.
Weathers pitched six scoreless innings on Tuesday, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out six in the Yankees' 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. This performance extended his scoreless streak to a career-best 17 2/3 innings and lowered his earned run average to 3.79, its lowest point since May.
The Yankees are facing a potential rotation logjam. Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are both on track for rehab assignments, and while Schmidt experienced a brief scare with forearm cramps during live batting practice, both are nearing a return. With Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, and Max Fried already established at the top of the rotation, and with Will Warren also in consideration, Weathers' continued success puts additional pressure on the team's depth.
Weathers has adapted his pitching strategy, significantly reducing his reliance on the four-seam fastball. In July, he threw it only 13.3 percent of the time, down from 28.2 percent in June, and utilized it just seven times on Tuesday. He noted that other pitches have been more effective at staying in the ballpark.
"We’re all in the same ballpark of like, if that’s what my job is and that helps us win ballgames, I mean, we all have the same end goal," Weathers said when asked about potentially moving to the bullpen. "So if that happens, then it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t."
Beyond his recent scoreless outings, Weathers has also addressed durability concerns. Injuries impacted his 2025 season, and he had not made more than 16 starts in a season since 2021. After Tuesday's start, he has reached a career-high 22 starts and 121 innings pitched, numbers that could continue to climb over the remaining two months of the season.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Weathers' efficiency and aggressiveness. "He was efficient, he was on the attack and I thought just used his stuff really well," Boone said.
Twenty-one-year-old shortstop George Lombard Jr. also contributed to the win in his MLB debut, turning two notable double plays. Weathers navigated a tense moment in the sixth inning with runners on first and second, but Heliot Ramos made a key catch on a hard-hit ball to end the threat.