Weaver earned a save against Tampa Bay on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.
It was a bit curious that manager Aaron Boone went to Weaver and not Devin Williams with the Yankees holding a one-run lead in the ninth inning, though Williams had worked the day before and on three of the previous four days. Weaver proved more than capable of nailing things down, as he threw 12 of 15 pitches for strikes en route to a clean frame and his second save of the year. After some struggles early this season, Williams has rebounded to toss four consecutive scoreless outings, so he remains the Yankees' clear top closer. However, Weaver has shined so far this season with 10 scoreless frames and an 11:5 K:BB over eight outings, and he's clearly the top option for ninth-inning opportunities when Williams is unavailable.
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Yankees' Luke Weaver: Locks down first save of 2025
Rotowire
Weaver picked up the save after not allowing a baserunner in 1.1 innings Thursday against Arizona. He struck out one.
The Yankees got out to a massive 9-3 lead Thursday, but the Diamondbacks made the game interesting with a four-run surge in the seventh inning. That prompted manager Aaron Boone to turn to one of his high-leverage arms, and Weaver locked down his first save of the campaign while pouring in 15 of his 19 pitches for strikes. Although the right-hander is not the team's first option in save situations due to the arrival of Devin Williams (personal), Weaver emerged as a major weapon out of New York's bullpen in the second half of last season and should still see some save chances in 2025.
The Yankees exercised Weaver's $2.5 million club option for 2025 on Friday.
In his first full season with the Yankees, Weaver turned in a 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings -- a stark contrast from the 5.85 ERA and 1.51 WHIP he had accumulated over the previous four years. There's a chance he begins 2025 as New York's closer after moving into the role toward the end of the season.
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Yankees' Luke Weaver: Gets tough blown save
Rotowire
Weaver was saddled with a blown save Wednesday against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series, letting two inherited runners score while permitting one hit and one walk over 1.1 frames.
He was put into an impossible situation, taking over for Tommy Kahnle in the top of the eighth inning after Kahnle had loaded the bases with no one out. Weaver didn't permit a hit or a walk in the frame, but a pair of sac flies turned a one-run Yankees lead to a one-run deficit. He returned for the ninth inning and was pulled with one out and two runners on before Mark Leiter came on to escape the jam. The Yankees have a $2.5 million club option on Weaver for 2025, which they will undoubtedly pick up. He could open next season as the club's closer after finishing this year in the role.
Weaver struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.
Clay Holmes struggled in the eighth inning, but Weaver was able to escape without trouble. Weaver then stayed in for the ninth to close out the contest and earn his fourth save, all of which have come over his last seven appearances. Weaver is now at a 2.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 101:26 K:BB over 83 innings this season, and he continues to pitch in the highest-leverage moments.
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