Luke Weaver comes up big again to lift Yankees' shorthanded bullpen
Share this @internewscast.com

The Yankees bullpen is down an arm, with Fernando Cruz sidelined with a shoulder injury and unavailable since his last appearance on Saturday.

Luke Weaver continues to compensate for their bullpen weaknesses, whether due to Cruz’s injury or stepping in as the closer for Devin Williams after the former Brewers closer struggled initially in The Bronx.

Wednesday, Weaver entered a tie game in the top of the ninth after Yerry de los Santos allowed a leadoff single to Sam Haggerty.

Weaver got both Wyatt Langford and Josh Jung to fly out to center field before he wrapped up the inning by throwing to second base to catch Haggerty, who was attempting to steal the bag.

That set up Jasson Domínguez’s game-winning homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth of a 4-3 win.

Aaron Boone called it a “good, gritty win, when we’re kind of short” in the bullpen. Not only are they without Cruz, but Ian Hamilton has struggled.

Jonathan Loáisiga is getting back into form, though he wasn’t at his sharpest Wednesday.

Weaver has allowed just one run in 20 appearances, covering 21 ²/₃ innings.


Luke Weaver walks off the field after getting out of the ninth inning in the Yankees' 4-3 walk-off win over the Rangers on May 21, 2025.
Luke Weaver walks off the field after getting out of the ninth inning in the Yankees’ 4-3 walk-off win over the Rangers on May 21, 2025. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

“He’s been outstanding,” Boone said of the right-hander. “He’s excelled at controlling the ball and placing it precisely where he intends. Some evenings, he’s been overpoweringly dynamic. Other times, he’s shown skill and savvy with the changeup. Ultimately, it’s about delivering the ball to the desired spot consistently.”

But as so many other relievers have shown, it’s not that simple.

He did on Tuesday, when Hamilton couldn’t finish the game, knocked out after a two-run homer, followed by a triple.


Luke Weaver throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the Yankees' win over the Rangers.
Luke Weaver throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rangers. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

Then Weaver had to come in with one on and no one out Wednesday after Boone tried to get an extra out from de los Santos in the ninth.

As he’s shown often since taking over for Clay Holmes as closer for the final month of the regular season last year, Weaver has been undaunted.

On a night when they got five innings from reliever-turned-starter Ryan Yarbrough then needed five current relievers to finish it, Weaver was the stabilizing force at the end, as he earned his sixth save of the season.

The four saves he had last year were the first of his career, but he’s clearly comfortable at the end of games and can do it in a variety of ways.

His role may be even more important while Cruz is out, though Williams’ improved showing since being put into a setup role, as well as the return of Loáisiga and solid performances from Mark Leiter Jr. and Tim Hill have the Yankees set up well in the pen for the foreseeable future.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NY Jets cornerback Kris Boyd says he's back in the hospital after NYC shooting

NY Jets Cornerback Kris Boyd Returns to Hospital Following NYC Shooting Incident

New York City is once again the focus as New York Jets…
Driver carjacked in West Village by machete-wielding muggers

Driver Victimized by Machete-Wielding Assailants in West Village Carjacking

A man, aged 27, experienced a terrifying carjacking in downtown Manhattan when…
Police: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Storm NYC Retail Store on Black Friday

Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Rally Inside NYC Store Amid Black Friday Chaos

In a dramatic turn of events on Black Friday, at least four…
Pro-Palestinian agitators storm popular fashion store in Manhattan on Black Friday, 4 arrested: NYPD

Black Friday Chaos: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Clash at Iconic Manhattan Fashion Store

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported the arrest of at…
WATCH: Trump Blasts Reporter over National Guard Shooting Question

WATCH: Trump Criticizes Reporter in Response to National Guard Shooting Inquiry

President Donald Trump did not shy away from expressing his frustration during…
Kim Kardashian reveals new brain scan following aneurysm diagnosis

Kim Kardashian Unveils Latest Brain Scan Results Post-Aneurysm Diagnosis

Kim Kardashian recently underwent a brain scan on her show “The Kardashians,”…
Illinois man charged with arson after allegedly setting home ablaze on Thanksgiving

Illinois Resident Accused of Thanksgiving Day House Fire

In a shocking Thanksgiving incident, an Illinois man found himself behind bars…
Tinsel, Taps and 'Tinis | A new initiative to explore Downtown Jacksonville

Discover Downtown Jacksonville: Sip, Shop, and Celebrate with Tinsel & Tinis

Downtown Vision has launched an initiative designed to introduce residents to the…
ICE in Chicago: Federal agents engaged in widespread misrepresentations to justify use of force, Judge Ellis says

Federal Agents in Chicago Accused of Misrepresentation to Justify Force, Judge Ellis Reports

In Chicago, the ABC7 I-Team is delving into a collection of videos…
Knicks HC Mike Brown says benching Josh Hart was a mistake: ‘I was wrong’

Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown Admits Error in Benching Josh Hart: ‘I Was Wrong’

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown admitted to an error in…
Beach Park man Erik Crump charged with arson after setting fire to home after Thanksgiving argument: Lake County sheriff

Beach Park Resident Erik Crump Faces Arson Charges Following Post-Thanksgiving Dispute: Lake County Authorities Report

A domestic dispute during the Thanksgiving holiday led to a house fire…
Russia outlaws Human Rights Watch as crackdown on dissent continues

Russia Bans Human Rights Watch: Escalating Clampdown on Free Speech and Dissent

On Friday, Russian authorities declared Human Rights Watch as an “undesirable organization.”…