Ryan Weathers is set to make his Yankees debut on Monday night against the Mariners in Seattle, giving New York a left-handed starter with elite velocity for a high-profile matchup between two contenders. The game is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET and will draw attention because Weathers brings triple-digit fastballs to a rotation spot that has been shaped by injuries and constant roster adjustments.
The 26-year-old enters the start with a clear chance to show why the Yankees targeted him despite recent health setbacks. His first outing in pinstripes will also come against a dangerous Seattle lineup built around AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh and star outfielder Julio Rodríguez.
Why the Yankees wanted Weathers
Weathers stood out in Spring Training with pure arm strength that few left-handed starters can match. In camp, he fired 23 pitches at 99 mph or higher, hit 100 mph twice, and reached a high of 101 mph.
Among left-handed starters, only Tarik Skubal has shown better velocity, according to the reference data. That type of power gives New York a different look on the mound, especially when paired with a mix that includes a changeup, sweeper, slider, and sinker.
Recent form and injury history
Weathers has shown upside over the past two seasons, even while dealing with interruptions. Across 24 starts for Miami in that span, he posted a 3.74 ERA with 117 strikeouts in 125 innings.
His availability has been the main concern, though, since he made only eight starts in 2025 after suffering a flexor strain in Spring Training and a left lat strain during the regular season. Those injuries limited his rhythm, but the Yankees still saw enough to make the deal and give him an important role.
What to expect against Seattle
The challenge is immediate, because Seattle offers little margin for error. Raleigh and Rodríguez give the Mariners power, plate discipline, and star-level production that can punish mistakes, especially against a pitcher working his first start for a new team.
Weathers’ Spring Training results were uneven, as he finished with an 8.83 ERA in five outings, but he also struck out 21 batters in 17 1/3 innings. That strikeout rate suggests the stuff can still play, even if command and consistency remain the key questions.
Key numbers to know
- Weathers’ Spring Training fastball touched 101 mph.
- He threw 23 pitches at 99 mph or faster in camp.
- He had a 3.74 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 125 innings for Miami across 24 starts over two seasons.
- He made only eight starts in 2025 because of a flexor strain and a left lat strain.
- He struck out 21 batters in 17 1/3 Spring Training innings despite an 8.83 ERA.
The debut gives the Yankees a first look at a pitcher whose raw stuff can change game plans, but whose health and consistency remain under close watch. Against a Mariners team with playoff-level ambition, Weathers will need his fastball to pair with sharper execution if he is to make an immediate impression in pinstripes.
Read more at: www.mlb.com
