During his first taste of major league action last summer, Stephen Ridings dazzled, igniting radar screens while enthralling the fan base with his motivational tale.
The hard-throwing reliever, however, won’t likely be able to compete for a position on the team for Opening Day due to an injury sustained this offseason.
After being promoted to the Yankees for the first time in August of last year, Ridings made his Major League Baseball debut against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, retiring the side with three strikeouts.
Over the course of five solid starts over a two-week period, he gave up just one earned run while striking out seven of the 20 batters he faced.
Riding is disappointed that this setback is keeping him from reaching that level this spring and is eager to return to it.
Ridings said that he won’t be ready to play in any Grapefruit League games because of the pressure to be ready for Opening Day this spring due to the post-lockout time crunch.
In November, Ridings was added to the 40-man roster. Last year, the right-hander pitched at two different levels in the minor leagues, compiling a 1.24 ERA, a 5-0 record, and 42 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Is Stephen Ridings Injured?
Yes. Ridings is injured with a right shoulder impingement and will not be able to return to the team until early June.