MIAMI — Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers tossed five scoreless innings in his return from the 60-day injured list in Thursday night’s 5-0 victory over the Nationals at loanDepot park.
Weathers struck out four and walked none, scattering five hits — all singles — in a 68-pitch outing that helped Miami take the season series against Washington, 7-6.
The 25-year-old Weathers permitted CJ Abrams’ ground-ball single through the left side of the infield on the first pitch of the game, then proceeded to strike out two of the next three batters to escape the inning unscathed.
After a perfect second, Weathers allowed a one-out single to Jacob Young in the third to snap a stretch of seven consecutive batters retired. Later in the frame, with runners on the corners and two outs, Weathers struck out Riley Adams swinging on a 98.9 mph four-seamer — his fastest pitch of the evening and the fastest-thrown pitch to result in a K in his career.
Weathers once again worked around trouble in the fourth. Following back-to-back singles to open the inning, he induced a 4-6-3 double play and a groundout to short to thwart the threat. Weathers ended his outing on a strong note, needing just nine pitches in a perfect fifth.
Miami provided all the run support Weathers would need in the first thanks to an RBI apiece from Heriberto Hernández (sacrifice fly) and Eric Wagaman (single). Wagaman then doubled in a pair to help Miami pad its lead in the eighth.
This is the second consecutive season that Weathers has missed substantial time due to injury.
After his fourth Spring Training start, Weathers sustained a left flexor muscle strain, a tough blow considering how sharp he had looked. Weathers had allowed just one earned run and fanned 11 batters over 11 1/3 Grapefruit League innings while showcasing increased velocity.
Weathers didn’t make his season debut until May 14, and he got just four more starts before a fluke accident on June 7 kept him sidelined until Thursday’s series finale.
During that game against the Rays, catcher Nick Fortes’ warmup throw to second base hit Weathers in the head. Though Weathers would go on to pitch three innings, he exited for precautionary reasons due to a significant decrease in velocity. Weathers felt left shoulder discomfort while trying to play catch the following day, and Miami placed him on the 60-day IL on June 9 with a left lat strain.
In 2024, Weathers landed on the IL on June 8 with a left index finger strain during an All-Star-worthy first half. The injury stemmed from trying to barehand Fortes’ throw back to the mound before firing to the plate on Christian Yelich’s steal of home on May 20.
As was the case in 2024, Weathers is in line to make three starts before the season ends.
