Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers navigated a challenging start to contribute to an 8-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, despite lasting just 4 ⅔ innings. After surrendering five runs in the second and third innings, Weathers adjusted his approach and limited further damage, allowing his team to secure the victory.
"I love those outings when it’s a grind, when it’s tough," manager Aaron Boone said of Weathers' performance. "And you still give yourself, give your team a chance to win."
Weathers encountered difficulties in the second inning when the Pirates strung together three consecutive hits, including an RBI double from Jared Triolo. Reports suggested Triolo may have been relaying pitch signs to batters. "I made an adjustment in-game," Weathers stated. "I fired a fastball, and that kind of shut it down."
Further struggles appeared in the third inning with an RBI single and a two-run home run by rookie Esmerlyn Valdez. Weathers acknowledged that a slider, a pitch he admitted to struggling with, was left too accessible for the home run.
Despite the early setbacks, Weathers settled in, allowing only a single in the fourth and a walk in the fifth before being relieved with two outs. Angel Chivilli entered the game to escape the inning.
"Wasn’t a great one for him, got hit around early on a night we’re up against it pen-wise," Boone commented, but added, "I love the fact that he hung in there."
In other team news, the Yankees have not provided a timeline for Giancarlo Stanton’s potential return or rehabilitation assignment. Boone confirmed Stanton is continuing his running progression, which he described as going "pretty well," but offered no specific return date. Stanton has been sidelined with a calf strain, and with Aaron Judge also out indefinitely, the absence of both sluggers has impacted the team's offensive capabilities.
The Yankees have also signed all 20 of their draft picks, including left-handed starters Hunter Dietz and Sean Duncan, five right-handed pitchers, and two-way player Luke Pettitte. The team also selected six infielders, four outfielders, one catcher, and one utility player. Among the players acquired by the Pirates in a trade that sent David Bednar to the Yankees was backup catcher Rafael Flores, who had risen through the Yankees' system and impressed Boone with his "joy for the game."