Ryan Weathers DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers allowed two hits over five innings of one-run ball in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old struck out five and walked one, collecting his first win in his 2025 debut. Weathers was sharp throughout his minor-league rehab assignment as he worked his way back from a flexor strain in spring training, and he carried that into his first start against one of the league's top three lineups on a runs-per-game basis. He cruised through the first three frames, yielding just a walk and a single, but outfielder Seiya Suzuki deposited a hanging changeup over the wall in dead-center field in the fourth to account for the only damage against him. Weathers let up a bit of hard contact, but considering it was his first appearance and the quality of the lineup he faced, he was excellent. The former first-round selection was a popular breakout pick a few months ago in fantasy drafts, and the initial returns have been promising. He'll attempt to keep up the pace his next time out, which figures to come early next week against these same Chicago Cubs.

The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated left-hander Ryan Weathers (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-hander Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Weathers will be making his first start of 2025 on Wednesday versus Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 25-year-old southpaw will be quite risky in starting fantasy lineups in his first start of the year against a Cubs offense that ranks fourth in all of baseball with a .768 OPS, but Weathers should be plucked off the waiver wire in any formats where he's still available. He had a sharp 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 minor-league rehab innings, but he only threw 57 pitches during his final rehab start and will probably be on a short leash on Wednesday. Injuries have held Weathers back early in his career, but he looked good in 2024 with career-best strikeout and walk rates.

Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers (forearm) looked good in his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, throwing five shutout innings with two hits allowed, no walks and three strikeouts to pick up the win. The 25-year-old southpaw averaged 97.8 mph with his fastball and could potentially be activated from the injured list and make his 2025 season debut for the Marlins next Tuesday in a tough matchup against the Chicago Cubs. The former first-rounder of the San Diego Padres in 2018 has made three rehab starts (two with Jacksonville) and has only allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking four and striking out 13 in 10 2/3 innings pitched. Weathers only got up to 57 pitches in his efficient outing on Thursday, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him make one more start in the minors. He deserves to be picked up off the waiver wire now in fantasy leagues if he's available.