Stephen Ridings, who took the league by storm last season by pitching five innings with just one earned run, and seven strikeouts for the New York Yankees has been affected by injuries ever since he made it to the majors.
Right now, he is out of action and won’t play any Grapefruit League games for the Yankees. He could have been a candidate to win a roster spot, but that won’t be happening soon. Speaking with SI.com, he provided details of his injury.
“I slipped a disk during a lift back in January or February. With the lockout, it’s been tough to get on the right path,” Ridings told Inside The Pinstripes in the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday. “We thought it was getting better, picked up a ball again and something in my shoulder didn’t quite feel right. That’s really all I know right now.”
He impressed last year with the Yankees
He was really impressive in his short cameo last year, touching 100 mph consistently and fooling hitters on sheer velocity. The Yankees, however, will have to wait to have him ready to get on the mound.
He is eager to get back to the field as soon as possible, and he played catch on Wednesday, so that’s a good sign. “It’s my first big-league camp. First time on the roster,” Ridings said. “I was looking forward to competing, earning a spot, doing everything I can to contribute to the team.”
“Even if I came in today, and I was like, ‘hey everything feels great,’ with the amount of time I missed before getting here due to the lockout and navigating the injury, I have to go through my full buildup.”
The Yankees haven’t set a timetable for Ridings’ return, but, much like Domingo German, he is just starting his throwing program, so it will be a few weeks at the very least.