There are gut punches in baseball that hit harder than a walk-off homer — and losing your closer mid-warmup is one of them.
The New York Yankees were forced to absorb one of those blows Sunday night, and it may take weeks to recover from it.
Losing their best reliever changes the bullpen outlook
Right-handed reliever Luke Weaver suffered a hamstring injury while warming up against the Dodgers and will now miss 4–6 weeks.
Weaver has been a revelation this season, sporting a 1.05 ERA over 25.2 innings while dominating in high-leverage situations.
His ability to create swings and misses without giving up hard contact made him one of the Yankees’ most valuable arms.
He ranked in the 88th percentile in chase rate and 83rd in whiff rate, showcasing just how difficult he’s been to hit.
Timing isn’t everything — but this one stings
If there’s a silver lining to this injury, it’s that it didn’t happen in October when every pitch carries massive weight.
Still, this was a tough moment for the Yankees, who have leaned heavily on Weaver to shut down opposing rallies all season.
He was the team’s most trusted bullpen weapon, frequently working multiple innings and covering for starters on short outings.
Can Devin Williams step up again?
With Weaver sidelined, the Yankees are expected to slide Devin Williams back into the closer role — but that’s a gamble.
Williams owns a 6.23 ERA across 21.2 innings this season and has struggled with command and consistency since Opening Day.
Despite the ERA, his underlying metrics offer some hope — he ranks in the 95th percentile in whiff rate, still striking guys out.
The Yankees are hoping the recent improvement he’s shown can translate into more stable outings while Weaver rehabs.
Help is on the way — but not immediately
The bullpen isn’t being left entirely empty-handed, though.
Right-hander Jake Cousins is starting a rehab assignment this week, offering a glimmer of relief for the battered unit.
Cousins was lights out for the Yankees in 2024, pitching 38 innings with a 2.37 ERA and 12.55 strikeouts per nine innings.
His command was the best of his career, and he generated weak contact with an elite slider-sinker mix that frustrated hitters.
Opponents batted just .141 against his slider and .162 off his sinker last season, giving the Yankees another trusted option.
The bullpen has to weather the storm
For now, it’s next man up.
The Yankees will try to survive the coming weeks without Weaver, leaning on Williams and hoping Cousins returns quickly.
Losing one of the league’s best closers isn’t ideal, but this team has proven resilient before — and it must again.
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