Ryan Weathers Scratched as Yankees Lineup Today Swaps in Paul Blackburn
Ryan Weathers was scratched from the yankees lineup today for Thursday’s series finale against the Rangers after an illness left him 9 pounds lighter in two days. Paul Blackburn replaced him as the starter, and the Yankees had to shift their rotation on short notice.
Weathers Feels the Aftermath
Weathers said he “pretty much [throw] my guts up for several hours” and believed he had food poisoning after his last start. He woke up Sunday with a fever of 102 degrees, spent the next few days in bed, and said the illness was “something viral.”
The left-hander said the sickness was gone by Tuesday, when he reported back to the team after a stretch with little food or liquids. He received an IV on Wednesday, then went through a full workout the same day before the Yankees made the change for Thursday.
Blackburn Takes the Ball
The move dropped Blackburn into the start against Texas while Weathers continued to work back into his routine. Weathers had not felt well during his most recent start Saturday against the Orioles, when he allowed three runs, one earned, in five innings in a win.
He said after Wednesday’s 6-1 loss to the Rangers that his arm still felt fine. “My arm feels really good,” he said, adding, “It’s been weird. That’s what’s been frustrating — my body still feels strong, and my arm felt great. So it was one of the weirder sicknesses I’ve had.”
Rotation Picture For Yankees
Weathers is expected to throw a side session Friday and likely will take the mound Monday for the start of a series in Baltimore. The Yankees also have Carlos Rodón set to slide back into his rotation spot Sunday in Milwaukee after a rehab assignment Tuesday, giving the club another arm back as it keeps sorting through the staff.
Rodón built up to 85 pitches in three rehab starts, posting a 3.38 ERA with 16 strikeouts and three walks in 16 innings. Gerrit Cole is due back in the next few weeks, a further lift for a rotation that has already had to adjust around Weathers’ illness and the latest shuffle in the Yankees lineup today.
