Yankees’ Luke Weaver Injured: Devin Williams’ Opportunity Awaits

The New York Yankees just got some bad news in the bullpen. Closer Luke Weaver will miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury.

An MRI confirmed the injury. That’s a tough hit for Weaver, who’s been having a pretty electric season and is a huge reason the Yankees are leading the AL East by 5.5 games.

Manager Aaron Boone now has to figure out who steps in as closer while Weaver recovers. The team’s still pushing hard toward the postseason, so this decision matters a lot.

Luke Weaver’s Injury: A Painful Setback for the Yankees

Weaver, 31, has been absolutely lights-out this year. He’s got a 1.05 ERA, a ridiculous 0.701 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings.

The injury happened during pregame warmups on Sunday. Weaver felt discomfort before the Yankees’ 7-3 win over the Dodgers.

After the game, Boone shared that Weaver had an MRI, and it confirmed the hamstring was pretty badly hurt. Weaver’s been the go-to guy in save situations, especially after Devin Williams struggled earlier in the year.

He’s picked up eight saves and played a huge role in one of baseball’s best bullpens. The Yankees will definitely miss him for the next month or so.

Tim Cook Steps Up in the Interim

When Weaver went down, reliever Tim Cook finished the game and closed out the win against the Dodgers. Boone liked Cook’s composure but didn’t name him the interim closer.

Cook’s reliable, but filling in for Weaver long-term is a big ask. The bullpen’s about to get tested.

Devin Williams: A Key Figure in the Equation?

The focus could shift back to Devin Williams, who started the season as the closer. Williams had a rough go, posting a 6.23 ERA in that role.

Lately, though, he’s looked better, giving up just two runs in his last 11 outings as a setup man. Maybe he’s turning a corner?

Should Williams Regain the Closer Role?

The Yankees have a tough call to make. Williams has the experience, and his recent work suggests he could be ready to step back in.

Boone might also try other arms or even go with a closer-by-committee. With Weaver out for a while, they need someone steady to keep the AL East lead safe.

Impact on the Yankees’ AL East Lead

The Yankees are 36-22 and up by 5.5 games on the Blue Jays. That’s a nice cushion, but losing the closer during such an important stretch isn’t ideal.

This team’s always leaned on a strong bullpen. If they want to hang onto the division and maybe get home-field in October, they’ve got to handle the closer situation well.

What’s Next for the Yankees’ Bullpen?

Boone has some choices to make. Maybe Tim Cook or Devin Williams steps in, or maybe they look outside the organization for help.

Weaver might be back for the stretch run, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be at his best right away. The next few weeks are going to say a lot about this bullpen’s depth.

Final Thoughts

Luke Weaver’s hamstring injury really shows just how unpredictable baseball gets. For the Yankees, this setback highlights the constant need for depth and flexibility.

With Weaver out, the bullpen faces a tough few weeks. Their playoff hopes might hinge on whether someone like Tim Cook, Devin Williams, or maybe even a surprise hero can step up and steady the ship.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees closer Luke Weaver could reportedly miss 4-6 weeks with hamstring injury, potentially opening door for Devin Williams