Viral infection scratches Weathers from Thursday start vs. Rangers 

NEW YORK -- Ryan Weathers said he lost nine pounds earlier this week dealing with a viral infection, prompting the Yankees to scratch the left-hander from a start scheduled for Thursday afternoon against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Paul Blackburn will make the start in place of Weathers, who last pitched on Saturday against the Orioles, picking up a victory in New York’s 9-4 win.

"I pitched, then went home and pretty much threw my guts out for several hours,” Weathers said. “I thought I just had food poisoning, but woke up the next day and was running a 102 [degree] temp. I was just pretty much bedridden for a couple of days.”

The illness disrupted Weathers’ preparation. He played catch on Tuesday and Wednesday, is scheduled to throw from a bullpen mound on Friday in Milwaukee, then is expected to rejoin the rotation on Monday at Baltimore.

"I feel good now,” Weathers said. “Obviously, I wish I could throw tomorrow, but we just deemed it not worth it to risk my arm health. I lost nine pounds in two days; couldn’t really eat anything, couldn’t drink anything. I got an IV today and felt a lot better.”

Will Warren lasted four innings in Wednesday’s 6-1 loss, allowing a season-high six runs, but Yerry De Los Santos tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings after being recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

De Los Santos’ reward was a return trip to the Minors, given that he threw a career-high 54 pitches and there is a need for a fresh arm.

"We’ll talk about that,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Picking us up with 10 outs was big.”