Yankees' Ryan Weathers makes his case to remain in rotation
· Yahoo Sports
NEW YORK – Soaring past career highs in starts and innings pitched, Ryan Weathers is also enjoying his finest stretch as a Yankees starter.
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That workload is at least something to be mindful of, as we reach the stretch drive.
Carlos Rodon is scheduled to go Thursday at Class AA Somerset, in what might be his final rehab start, coming back from elbow inflammation.
If the Yanks have five healthy starters, plus Rodon coming back, either Weathers or Will Warren will be moving into the bullpen.
“We haven’t really addressed it with the group yet,’’ said pitching coach Matt Blake at the Stadium, after Weathers boosted the Yankees to a 4-1 win Tuesday night against the Mariners.
“Obviously, the natural guys to talk about are Ryan and Will and we haven’t really gotten to that, as far as who it would be or when it would happen.’’
And lately, Weathers has made a strong case to remain in rotation.
Suddenly, a crowd of starters
The lefty’s consecutive scoreless innings streak, over three starts, was snapped at 22.2 innings by Randy Arozarena’s short-porch homer in Tuesday’s sixth.
To that point, the Yankees’ lineup – struggling mightily since mid-June - had no answers versus Seattle starter Bryan Woo.
But against Seattle’s bullpen, the Yankees strung together some professional, patient at-bats, batting around and taking a 4-1 lead on two-run singles by Ryan McMahon and Trent Grisham.
“Wish I could’ve thrown a few more strikes,’’ said Weathers, who exited after 5.2 innings, with his pitch count at 106 and took a no-decision.
Over the last two years, Warren has been more durable than Weathers, who has previous bullpen experience with the Miami Marlins.
If the Yanks bring Rodon back after Thursday, he’s likely going to start with a roughly 65-pitch limit – inviting the possibility of a tandem start with Warren or Weathers.
In a four-man postseason rotation, have a signature strength with Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and presumably Rodon in some order.
Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt’s return to the Yanks (Tommy John surgery rehab) might be delayed until September, due to a recent forearm cramp.
At Class A Hudson Valley, Tuesday, Luis Gil tossed his scheduled one inning (scoreless) and he’s at least a potential late-season bullpen option as he recovers from shoulder inflammation.
Acknowledging a lack of big-league ready Yankees starting depth at Triple-A, “you’ve got to know where the balance is’’ of transitioning Weathers or Warren into relief, said Blake, versus “keeping him built up in case something happens.’’
Ideas for moving Weathers or Warren to relief
The idea of optioning Weathers or Warren to the minors, to transition into relief, hasn’t been discussed, “but it’s in the universe of things that could happen,’’ said Blake. “I wouldn’t say we’re at that point.
De-escalating a starter is “probably harder’’ at the big-league level, said Blake, though the extra pitcher during September’s roster expansion would help.
“It’s the balance of trying to win games at the major league level, but also preparing guys to handle a different role,’’ said Blake. “Ultimately, if you get to the postseason, you want to have as many options and flexibility as you can.’’
Ryan Weathers' pitching evolution
Weathers’ personal pitching evolution continued Tuesday.
He threw fewer four-seam fastballs (12 percent) than any of his other four pitches, including an effective changeup (24 percent).
“I’ve been primarily a four-seam pitcher my whole career,’’ said Weathers, who got “tired of getting beat with the long ball
“I have four other pitches that aren’t really getting hit into the seats,’’ said Weathers, who is “just trying to eliminate as much slug as I can’’ while also “slowly starting to get the conviction back’’ in his four-seam fastball.
“He’s executing at a high level right now,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, who also felt Tuesday was “really good’’ but also “a grind’’ for Weathers, with an elevated pitch count.
As for Weathers’ elevated innings (126.2 in 23 starts), the Yanks are monitoring.
“I think he’s taking care of himself at a higher level in the weight room and the training room and his throwing program has evolved,’’ Blake said of a “less is more’’ approach.
“I think he feels good right now and all the metrics we’re tracking, the delivery and stuff, is all tracking in a good direction.
“But we’ve got to be honest with ourselves as we keep going. If there are risks, what are they? And how do we mitigate them?’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Ryan Weathers makes his case to remain in rotation