The New York Yankees' postseason aspirations took another hit this week as reliever Luke Weaver landed on the injured list with a hamstring strain, just as the team gears up for the ALDS against the Blue Jays. Weaver, who had been a steady presence in the late innings, felt the twinge during a bullpen warmup last Sunday, sidelining him for what could be weeks. It's frustrating, really—after a breakout 2024 where he stepped up as closer and helped propel the Yankees deep into October, this feels like a cruel twist.
Indeed, Weaver's journey with the Yankees has been one of reinvention. Drafted in the first round back in 2014 by the Cardinals, he bounced around teams like Arizona, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Seattle before finding his groove in pinstripes as a high-leverage arm. Last season, he posted a 2.89 ERA over 99 innings, striking out 98 batters and becoming indispensable in the bullpen. But now, with his free agency looming after this year, whispers suggest the Yankees might not re-sign him, especially if they pivot back to him starting games. Manager Aaron Boone has hinted at openness to that role, yet the injury throws everything into question.
Moreover, the timing couldn't be worse. The Yankees' bullpen, already thin after a grueling regular season, now relies heavily on Ryan Yarbrough and others to fill the void. Weaver's absence shapes the ALDS roster in uncomfortable ways—Boone must decide whether to trust unproven arms or stretch starters further. Critics point out that Weaver's velocity dipped slightly this year, hovering around 93 mph, which might have foreshadowed vulnerability. Still, his poise under pressure was a hallmark; without it, the Yankees' path through the playoffs looks bumpier.
However, the team hasn't panicked yet. They've won four of their last five, showing resilience amid the chaos. As Weaver rehab in Florida, where he grew up idolizing the Rays, one wonders if this setback will redefine his Yankees legacy—or push him toward new horizons in free agency.