Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees remain confident Ryan Weathers will return before the 2026 MLB season comes to an end. However, the key piece to the Bronx Bombers’ second-to-none rotation could return from the injured list in a different role than a starting pitcher.
Dealing with a flexor strain, Weathers underwent tests on his pitching arm. After the results came back, the Yankees decided to place the starting pitcher on the 15-day IL. However, Boone addressed the injury with an encouraging update, although he admitted Weathers likely won’t be a starter again during the 2026 MLB season.
“Ryan Weathers will not throw for 2-4 weeks. Aaron Boone said ‘there’s a great chance’ that Weathers will return this year ‘in some capacity’ which suggests a bullpen role,” reported Bryan Hoch from MLB.com.
Weathers addresses injury
Second in the AL East standings with a 73-56 record and having won five of their last six games, the Yankees can already smell the postseason. Plus, they can see it rising on the horizon. Thus, it’s time to be smart. In MLB, it’s about surviving and adapting, and that’s exactly what the Pinstripers may be doing with Weathers. Rather than risk losing him for the year, the Yankees are taking the smart, cautious route with their starting pitcher.
Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees heads to the dugout.
The rotation is going through crucial hours, even though New York dodged a bullet with Max Fried going on the injured list. Speaking about his injury, Weathers made a clear statement. Similarly to Fried, had the season required him to play through discomfort, he would have. But because the Yankees have given themselves some margin for error, staying away for a few weeks makes sense.
“Weathers says he doesn’t necessarily think this ends his season. Says tests show elbow is fine. Could could have kept pitching but wanted to be smart. No plan yet,” reported Brendan Kuty from The Athletic.
NY Yankees’ updated rotation
With Fried and Weathers on the 15-day IL, the Bronx Bombers boast a different rotation as they take on crucial games late in the season. Cam Schlittler and Gerrit Cole remain the two-headed monster commanding the group, while Carlos Rodon’s return means the Yankees are down to one left-handed card.
New York will be sending right-handed pitchers to the mound virtually every day, but Rodon provides an alternative—the only one with Fried and Weathers out for the foreseeable future. It’s no excuse, though, and New York must make do with what it has. The postseason awaits, and the Yankees can’t afford to stumble when the regular season’s finish line is well in sight.
