The New York Yankees placed left-hander Ryan Weathers on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm flexor strain on Sunday, following an early exit from Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Weathers faces a two-to-four-week throwing shutdown, though he remains optimistic about returning before the end of the season.
The Injury and Immediate Outlook for Ryan Weathers
The incident occurred during the fourth inning of Saturday’s matchup against Toronto. On his 72nd pitch of the afternoon—an 0-1 sweeper thrown to Myles Straw that missed the strike zone—Weathers appeared to injure himself in the process. After a brief mound visit from manager Aaron Boone and the team trainer, the left-hander walked off the field and was replaced by reliever Yerry de los Santos.
Subsequent imaging confirmed a left forearm flexor strain, prompting the team to place him on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. Before the Yankees wrapped up their series against Toronto, Boone outlined the immediate recovery plan for the 26-year-old southpaw, noting that he will not throw for two to four weeks. Despite the setback, initial scans delivered encouraging news regarding his long-term availability.
Boone added that the team will try and get this thing calmed down here, and hopefully we’ll be able to get him back in some capacity before the end. Initial tests also revealed that Weathers’ ulnar collateral ligament is intact, helping temper concerns about a more severe absence.
Comparing the Setback to Past Injuries and Recent Performance
Weathers noted that he dealt with a similar issue during his time with the Miami Marlins, missing roughly a month of action. However, he expressed confidence that the current strain is less severe than the one he encountered last year, which sidelined him for an extended stretch.
The timing of the IL stint halts a sharp second-half surge for the pitcher. Acquired in an offseason trade with Miami, Weathers has posted a 3.60 ERA across 25 starts this year, setting career highs with 143 strikeouts and 137 1/3 innings pitched. His performance leveled up significantly following the All-Star break, where he compiled a 2-1 record and a 2.27 ERA in seven starts. The middle five outings of that stretch were particularly dominant, as he surrendered a microscopic 0.85 ERA over 31 2/3 innings from July 25 through August 16.
Reflecting on his decision to leave the game, Weathers explained that caution outweighed his competitive instincts given the juncture of the season.
He added that while he could have kept pitching no doubt, doing so would have been unwise with September and the postseason approaching.
Roster Adjustments and Rotation Implications in New York
To fill Weathers’ spot on the active roster, the Yankees recalled right-hander Brendan Beck from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Meanwhile, the team welcomed back outfielder Cody Bellinger, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing four weeks with a left hamstring strain.
In the starting rotation, Weathers’ absence temporarily alters the calculus surrounding fellow starter Max Fried, who is currently on the IL with a left elbow bone bruise. Speculation had previously centered on whether Fried’s eventual return would force Weathers or Will Warren into the bullpen. With Weathers now sidelined, Warren’s hold on a rotation spot appears secure for the remainder of the regular season.
As the Yankees navigate a heavy workload and mounting injuries across the roster, Boone expressed faith in the remaining depth of his pitching staff. With key arms spending time on the shelf over the course of the 162-game schedule, the manager emphasized that the club expects others to step forward as they pursue the division lead in the American League East.
