With Closer Luke Weaver Out 4-6 Weeks With Hamstring Injury, Yankees Look To Fernando Cruz

New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a hamstring injury, which is a significant blow to the first-place team.

Weaver suffered the injury over the weekend during the Yankees’ three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander pitched in an inning in the blowout loss to the Dodgers, giving up a home run and throwing 14 pitches. As Weaver warmed up to pitch the ninth inning, he felt some discomfort in his hamstring while stretching after completing the warmup and did not enter the game.

Afterwards, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Weaver would undergo tests in New York during the team’s off day.

“He felt something when he finished warming up, and then when he went to stretch, he felt something in the middle of his hammy,” Boone said postgame. “So we had to make a switch on the fly there. We’re hoping it’s not too serious.”

Weaver has continued his dominance from his breakout 2024 campaign, posting a 1.05 ERA and holding opponents to a .412 OPS across 24 outings this season. Weaver began the year as the primary setup man for Devin Williams before replacing Williams in the closer role in late April. In nine opportunities, Weaver has converted eight saves.

The Yankees are expected to place Weaver on the injured list Tuesday, with Fernando Cruz slated to be activated. Cruz has been a revelation this year, pitching to a 2.66 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Williams looks to slide back into the closer role for the Yankees in Weaver’s absence. The two-time All-Star hasn’t given up a run in 11 of his past 13 appearances, lowering his ERA from 11.25 to 6.23 over the span.

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Article by James Van Wickler