Weathers shows why Yanks coveted him in dazzling spring debut

TAMPA, Fla. – Ryan Weathers wasn’t pleased when the fifth pitch of his Yankees spring debut whistled past his head, a C.J. Abrams liner that nicked the top of his glove. He responded by taking it out on the rest of the Nationals.

Clocked as high as 99.8 mph, Weathers showcased the live arm that prompted the Yankees to acquire him in a January trade with the Marlins, striking out five over 3 2/3 innings in a 7-0 Grapefruit League victory over Washington on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“I felt really good,” Weathers said. “I feel like the command is starting to get back to where I used to be, and I came out feeling healthy. Anytime I can stay healthy after pitching, that’s a good day for me.”

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Pitching in front of his father, former Major Leaguer David Weathers, the 26-year-old said it helped that the velocity readings weren’t visible on the left-field scoreboard.

“I love to look at that stuff,” Weathers said. “Tonight, it just made me pitch and not worry about it. I think that’s why I was able to locate better and get ahead in the count.”

That approach is something Weathers has been working on this spring, citing Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Max Fried as influences.

“They’ve really helped me just simplify the game and trust my stuff over the heart of the plate,” Weathers said. “In this league, you have to pitch to contact. Tonight, I just trusted my stuff over the heart of the plate. I think that’s where all of us as pitchers can do really well.”

Weathers filled the zone with his four-seamer, sweeper and changeup, throwing 32 of 49 pitches for strikes. The initial plan was for Weathers to go only three innings, but he was so efficient that the Yankees sent him back for two batters in the fourth.

Through the first several weeks of camp, manager Aaron Boone said, the velocity isn’t all that has stood out.

“He’s got great stuff, obviously, but watching him move around – he's a good athlete,” Boone said. “I think that's something that's stood out to me a little bit. He seems to be fitting in real well. And hopefully, he thrives here.”

By George
George Lombard Jr. impressed on both sides of the ball in the fifth inning.

Lombard – the No. 32 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline – made a dazzling barehand defensive play at third base, then followed it by ripping a 108.8 mph two-run double off the left-field wall.

“I take pride in being a baseball player, not just a shortstop,” Lombard said on YES Network. “I feel like I can go out there and play all over the place.”

With David Bednar on the mound, Lombard charged a Joey Wiemer chopper and fluidly threw a strike to Ben Rice at first base, beating the runner by a step.

“First, you’ve got to stick it with the bare hand,” Boone said. “But then to be able to get the life on the throw and the accuracy of the throw, that’s a low-percentage play that not a ton of guys are making.”

Lombard’s loud knock came off former Yankee Clayton Beeter in the home half, turning around a 94.9 mph fastball.

“There’s a lot to like about him,” Boone said.

Live action
Cam Schlittler faced hitters Wednesday for the first time since being slowed earlier in camp by left lat/mid-back discomfort, throwing 25 pitches to a group that included Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Amed Rosario and José Caballero.

Boone said the session went well, and he expects Schlittler will be ready for the beginning of the season, though the right-hander might not be fully built up.

“I’ll take 70 pitches of Cam Schlittler,” Boone said. “Especially with some of the off-days you have, even if you’re in a piggyback situation for a time or two. Sign me up for that.”

Up next
Elmer Rodríguez – the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s 2025 rankings – will be on the mound as the Bombers host the Braves on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. ET.