Ryan Weathers puts in a strong performance as pressure builds on Yankees’ pitching lineup

Yankees’ Pitching Performance Highlights

The Yankees’ starting rotation is in relatively good form, with an unearned run allowed over five innings being seen as a minor setback.

During Saturday’s game against the Orioles in the Bronx, Ryan Weathers showcased a decent performance in a 9-4 victory. This comes at a crucial juncture for a team that anticipates adjusting its rotation in the upcoming weeks.

Should Elmer Rodriguez be sent to the minors with the expected return of Carlos Rodon—who might be back after his third rehab outing on Tuesday—Weathers and Will Warren will be in contention for a spot, depending on when Gerrit Cole is ready to return.

Warren had an impressive outing on Friday, allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) over 6 1/3 innings, while Weathers mirrored that performance on Saturday with 3 runs allowed (1 earned) over 6 1/3 innings. Manager Aaron Boone noted that the rotation remains “a matter of concern for the rest of my life.”

Weathers, with an ERA now at 3.03, made adjustments, temporarily stepping away from his usual windup. He walked the first batters he faced in both the first and second innings. While both runners did not score, it raised his pitch count significantly, needing 40 pitches to secure just six outs.

Starting the third inning, he fell behind 2-0 to Baltimore’s Blaise Alexander but decided to switch to a stretch delivery, a more simplified approach he’s adopted recently. “A windup can have more moving parts,” he explained before reverting back to the full windup, emphasizing how stretching simplifies the delivery process.

In the ensuing innings, he didn’t issue any more walks, allowed only three hits, and notched five strikeouts, which reflected positively on his performance. Although he noted that the Orioles didn’t capitalize on his slider, he expressed dissatisfaction with his fastball placement and wanted to better execute his changeup.

Even though his day didn’t go perfectly—he allowed a hit only after Pete Alonso hit a home run in the fourth inning—Boone seemed pleased, remarking there were various ways Weathers could have secured outs that day. “Sweeper, changeup, fastball,” he said, “I thought everything was going well.”

However, a challenge arose in the sixth inning when singles by Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson loaded the bases without any outs after a miscommunication during a ground out by Adley Rutschman. This led to two players scoring unearned runs.

In a rotation noted for its league-best ERA of 2.67, Weathers’ solid but not standout performance still contributed to another win. The looming challenges in the rotation, as Boone mentioned, feel like “a lifetime away.”