MINNESOTA — With less than two weeks left in the regular season, Ryan Weathers and the Yankees are hoping to have the pitcher back from a flexor strain before the playoffs.
“If everything goes smoothly,” Weathers said, referring to that goal.
The lefty took a step toward making that a reality on Tuesday in Minnesota, throwing his first bullpen session since going on the injured list on Aug. 23. Weathers threw 15 pitches while using his entire arsenal, and he said his velocity was in “a good spot” and even “a little firmer than I wanted it to be” at 87-90 mph.
He called that “higher” than he’s normally at for a mid-week bullpen session.
Assuming he recovers OK, Weathers plans to throw another bullpen on Friday. The Yankees will decide his next steps from there; he’ll need to face hitters before he is activated.
Weathers, acquired from the Marlins over the winter, has a 3.60 ERA over 25 starts this season. However, with minimal time left in the season, he is preparing for relief work. The 26-year-old has some experience doing that, as he made 15 appearances out of the bullpen for San Diego and Miami from 2021-2023.
“You can go out there and just let your stuff rip,” Weathers said, indicating that he’ll be comfy in a bullpen role.
“He’s been a great pitcher for us all year,” Aaron Boone added. “Obviously, he’s got some experience doing that before, so we’ll see. First things first, is him just continuing to take those next steps and hopefully get in a position to where he is an option.”
If all goes well, Weathers could be one of a few starters who factor into the Yankees’ bullpen plans this October. There’s also Will Warren, who has pitched well of late, and Clarke Schmidt, who is expected to come off the IL on Thursday after a grueling recovery from Tommy John surgery.