Ryan Weathers injury has Yankees' pitching plan hanging in the balance

When Max Fried hit the injured list a few days ago, it was a big bummer but it didn't feel like the end of the world. The Yankees had Carlos Rodón returning, so it was more of like a "first world" problem that they weren't going to have their $700 million rotation all healthy at the same time. Plus, Ryan Weathers and Will Warren are still here. That's more than enough to get you through the year.

But as we know, you're always just one injury away. After getting unsettling Giancarlo Stanton news on Saturday (he's likely out for the season in an unbelievable development), Weathers had to leave his start early after experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm.

During the game, the Yankees announced Weathers was undergoing imaging on his left forearm, which doesn't provide any reason to exhale. Forearm tightness/discomfort is more than likely a sign of worse things to come.

At the very least, he'll have to be shut down for a period of time that will affect the Yankees' short-term pitching plan without Fried. In the midst of a tight AL East race (New York is 3.5 games out), it's going to be harder for the Yanks to close the gap between them and Tampa.

Weathers has been the Yankees' best pitcher over the last month, allowing just three earned runs through 33 2/3 innings before Saturday's debacle when he was getting BABIP'd to death (two earned runs on eight hits) before leaving after 3 1/3 frames.

Yankees' pitching plan after Ryan Weathers injury isn't bad, but it's not great

With Fried on the shelf for the next 10 days and Weathers likely (at least) missing his next start, this means the Yankees will have to give Ryan Yarbrough a spot start or call on top prospect Elmer Rodriguez, who hasn't exactly been impressive. At this point, it's insanity for them to even consider a bullpen game with how

Weathers had also been providing length and preserving the bullpen, and the same won't be said for any other option that takes his place. Now more than ever the Yankees need to ensure their group of relievers is well-rested as can possibly be as they gear up for the stretch run and October.

There's hardly a scenario that has Yankees fans feeling good outside of Weathers being ruled out for the season. Everyone's been banking on the roster getting healthy for the final 2-4 weeks of the year and it's pretty much been the exact opposite of that (or at least trading one player for another).

Unless the offense starts scoring, Godspeed. That's all we got.

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