Yankees’ Stephen Ridings to start rehab game, likely to play this season

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ANAHEIM, Calif., — Pitching coach Matt Blake expects New York reliever Stephen Ridings to play his rehab game in a few days. The Yankees expect him to return to active duty soon after successful rehab with a minor league team.

The team struggled in August with many pitching starts on the injured list. With the 6-foot-8 reliever is getting closer to return, the Yankees look to get a much-needed boost in September and October.

According to Blake, the righty has recovered and is ready to throw at live seasons. However, Ridings will be tested in a rehab game for a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees before getting a recall to MLB games.

He’s trending in the right direction, his stuff is rounding back into shape, Blake told Sports Illustrated’s Inside The Pinstripes during New York’s series against the Athletics in Oakland this past weekend. Hopefully we get him back into some games here soon so we can keep assessing where he’s at.

The pitcher was put on a 60-day injured list on April 5. Initial diagnosis indicated that Ridings was suffering from a right shoulder impingement syndrome. However, further tests revealed more issues.

It was a host of shoulder stuff that we were trying to pinpoint and some back stuff, too, Blake added. So it was kind of a moving target for a little while, largely around the shoulder.

Earlier Ridings’ pitching coach had hinted at the 27-year-old potentially undergoing surgery. During the offseason, the right-hander had confirmed to have a slipped disk that hurt his shoulder and prevented him from taking active game duty at his first big-league camp.

Now, Ridings can throw without pain, which puts him in a good position. He is likely to get a place on the active team roaster before the end of the season.

He’s earned the right to say he’s a part of this group, when healthy, Blake said. It’s just a matter of taking it day by day to get to a spot where he’s in the conversation and then kind of sorting it out from there.

Ridings’ debut for the Yankees was inspiring. In 2021, he had four scoreless Yankees appearances. The reliever struck out seven of 20 batters with his triple-digit fastball and filthy slider.

But once Ridings had the injury, his season began to turn frustrating. Still, the reliever has the potential to help his team win, especially in an injury-hit bullpen. With minor league options, the player adds more flexibility to the Yankees roster.

Ridings and other injured players must return by 2022’s end. New York has 30 games left and its affiliates are nearing the end of the season.

Adding Ridings to the bullpen would become a big boost to the New York Yankees right now. Of the 40-man team roaster, 11 pitchers, including the reliever, are on the injured list. The pitching department of the Yankees should plan for the long term and look forward to the next season and beyond. Is there ever a time when a pitcher can’t get better? Zack Britton, a left-handed pitcher, just started rehab after having Tommy John surgery.

Is there ever a time when a pitcher can’t get better? Zack Britton, a left-handed pitcher, just started rehab after having Tommy John surgery.

Obviously it was all stuck in neutral for a while [with Ridings], Blake explained. Now that we’re gaining some traction and he’s getting to face hitters again, we just want him to finish this season on a high note. Whether that’s with us, whether that’s in the minor leagues, just finish healthy and set himself up for a good offseason.

Should the Yankees recall Stephen Ridings this week or wait for another couple of days? What do you think? Is he fit enough to provide a major boost to New York?

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