The New York Yankees made a bold move to acquire Ryan Weathers, and his first impression with the team wasn’t great.
Weathers was expected to be a key part of the Yankees’ rotation. Yet as he struggled early in spring training, there were questions about whether he would. Those struggles have continued, and on Thursday, he was roughed up by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Weathers allowed 7 runs on 8 hits over 3 innings against the Blue Jays, as the left-hander was hit hard. Despite another poor showing, Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed after the game that Weathers would be in the rotation come Opening Day.
“He’s healthy and the stuff is in line with where it needs to be. … I don’t put a lot of stock in numbers in spring,” Boone said.
In his first spring training with the Yankees, Weathers is 1-3 with an 11.68 ERA in 4 starts. However, earlier in spring, Weathers admitted he was working on new things.
“We’re going to get into it more in the coming days, but it’s probably more of a usage adjustment, especially against left-handed batters,” Weathers said. “I don’t feel like I’m utilizing my two-seamer as much, where it could open up the zone a little bit for my four-seamer and my sweeper.”
New York acquired Weathers from the Miami Marlins for prospects, Dillon Lewis, Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus. The left-hander is under team control through the 2028 season and will be a key starter for New York in 2026.
Weathers Was Shocked to be Traded to Yankees
During the offseason, Weathers didn’t think he’d be traded, but the Marlins dealt the left-hander to the Yankees.
Ryan’s father, David, won the 1996 World Series with the Yankees, so getting to put on the same uniform as his dad will be special.
“We’ve had weird, similar paths to New York,” Weathers said. “Having both been with the Marlins, then going to the Yankees. He still says that in ‘96, when he got that big punchout, it’s the loudest he’s ever heard Yankee Stadium.”
Although Weathers admits he was shocked to be traded, the left-hander is ecstatic to be a part of the organization. And, he hopes to help bring a World Series back to the Bronx.
“I talked to Cashman, talked to Boonie. It was just pure shock,” Weathers said. “I just couldn’t believe that the New York Yankees were a team that I could ever have a chance to play for.”
Weathers went 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA in 8 starts with the Marlins last season as he dealt with injuries.
New York Sends Carlos Lagrange Down
One Yankees pitcher who dominated spring training was top prospect Carlos Lagrange.
Entering spring, Lagrange was thought of as a year or two away. But he made the decision not to make the Opening Day roster a tough one. The hard-throwing right-hander was dominant, and Boone admitted the decision was harder than everyone thought.
“He made it a difficult decision, which coming into this, I wouldn’t even thought there was a decision,” Boone said about Lagrange.
In spring training, Lagrange went 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA in 4 games, including 1 start. Although he got reassigned to minor league camp, Lagrange is on the cusp of a call-up to the big leagues.
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