Boone explains why Luke Weaver’s role with the Yankees is growing

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Luke Weaver isn’t here to make assumptions—he’s here to make an impact. The Yankees’ newest bullpen arm sat down with Foul Territory on Wednesday, pulling back the curtain on his spring training experience, his evolving role, and his fresh start under Aaron Boone.

“Just give me the ball”

Asked about his role in a loaded Yankees bullpen, Luke Weaver didn’t shy away from the competition. “We all know there’s a plan, but I don’t live in assumptions,” he said. “Just give me my assignment, and I’ll attack it.” That mindset could be crucial for a Yankees bullpen in flux, especially with questions around high-leverage innings.

Luke Weaver also didn’t rule out the possibility of closing games. “I don’t stress over roles,” he said. “In the playoffs, it’s all about matchups. In the regular season, there’s more structure, but I’ve learned to stay ready for anything.” That kind of flexibility makes him a valuable chess piece for Boone.

Luke Weaver’s delivery saw a transformation last season, and it wasn’t by design. “I kind of did it by mistake,” he admitted, revealing that his leg kick—once a staple of his motion—wasn’t helping him anymore. “It was garbage. I had to simplify and let my upper body create speed and consistency.” He looked to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto for inspiration, but ultimately, it was trial and error that led to the biggest breakthrough of his career.

One of the more amusing moments from Yankees camp came during live batting practice, when Weaver got a rare win over Aaron Judge—momentarily. “I blew a couple of fastballs by him, then I got greedy—big mistake,” Luke Weaver laughed. “Judge almost took me deep. I looked at our catcher and said, ‘One more?’ He gave me the green light, and I regretted it instantly.”

Boone’s take: Why Luke Weaver might be a key weapon

Yankees manager Aaron Boone sees potential in Luke Weaver’s no-nonsense approach. “He’s got the kind of mentality that fits well here,” Boone said. While the Yankees are carefully managing workloads this spring, Boone isn’t shy about experimenting with roles—especially for versatile arms like Weaver.

One name that’s also generating buzz? Ben Rice. Boone praised the young catcher’s development, noting his added muscle has given him a real edge. “He’s put on about 10 pounds of really good weight. He’s going to be a real hitter in this league.”

Meanwhile, the Yankees are giving Jasson Dominguez a long look in left field, a move that could reshape their outfield. “If he grabs that spot, it puts Cody Bellinger in center and opens up a lot of flexibility for us,” Boone explained.

Luke Weaver’s adaptability could be a game-changer for the Yankees. With Boone juggling bullpen roles, a dominant spring could put Weaver in position for more than just middle relief. One thing is clear—he’s not backing down from the challenge.

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