Sport

Yankees Face Blow as Closer Luke Weaver Heads to Injured List

2025-06-03

Author: Ken Lee

Yankees Star Closer Injured!

In a surprising turn of events, the New York Yankees are set to place standout closer Luke Weaver on the 15-day injured list due to a hamstring injury sustained while warming up during Sunday’s game, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Weaver's Outstanding Performance

Weaver, who has become a dominant force since joining the Yankees, boasts a commendable 2.89 ERA and ranked third in Major League Baseball with 84 relief innings last season. His impressive stats include striking out over 31% of batters faced. In September, he overtook Clay Holmes for the closer role and excelled in the postseason, adding four saves and a solid 15 1/3 innings of pitching.

What Led to This Setback?

The anticipated trade for Devin Williams was supposed to shift Weaver back to a setup role, enduring just a brief stint before the injury. Williams struggled early on, allowing three or more runs in 30% of his first ten games. Consequently, the Yankees hoped a demotion to a setup position would help him regain his form.

Yankees' Next Move with the Bullpen

With Weaver’s injury, the Yankees will need a new closer, and manager Aaron Boone is expected to provide an update on their plans before tomorrow's game against the Guardians. Devin Williams has recently found his groove, delivering a scoreless stretch in ten of his last eleven outings, while boasting an impressive strikeout rate of nearly 40%. He’s a strong candidate to take over the ninth inning, but if the Yankees want to return that job to Weaver upon his return, other options like Mark Leiter Jr. and Fernando Cruz may come into play.

Aiming for a Comeback Before the All-Star Break

Should Weaver’s recovery extend to four to six weeks, he could rejoin the team right around the All-Star break. This will give the Yankees a critical window to assess their bullpen situation ahead of the trade deadline. As Weaver approaches free agency at season's end, his ability to make a strong return will be pivotal in solidifying his status among the top relievers in the market.

While a three-year deal seems most likely as he steps into his age-32 season, if all goes well, he should still command an impressive salary.