How Luke Weaver became an indispensable closer for the Yankees this October: ‘This was long awaited’

Luke Weaver wasn’t a name that garnered much attention a year ago. He was just a waiver claim, filling innings during a lost September for the Yankees. By January, he was a $2 million insurance policy for starting depth, and by March, he earned his spot on the Opening Day roster as a long reliever. Now, in October, Weaver has become an indispensable piece of the Yankees bullpen, stepping into the closer’s role just when they need him most.

In an interview with SNY, Luke Weaver reflected on his journey and his readiness for his first postseason with the Yankees.

Speaking to Anthony McCarron, he said, “This game comes with a lot of success and a lot of failure. In my account, the failure has definitely filled up a lot of the chapters. But it was for a good reason—it’s preparing me for this moment, to allow me to pitch in a city like this, on a team that’s as good as they are. I definitely had confidence in myself, but it was long, long awaited.”

Weaver’s unexpected rise to stardom

Weaver’s journey has been a blend of perseverance, reinvention, and timing. Reflecting on the past year before a workout at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, he acknowledged the adversity he’s faced: “I know I surprised the world a little bit, but I feel like this game’s hard. This game comes with a lot of success and a lot of failure. In my account, the failure has definitely filled up a lot of the chapters. But it was for good reason. It’s prepared me for this moment.”

Ten years removed from being a first-round pick of the Cardinals, the 31-year-old right-hander has found his niche in pinstripes. Weaver finished the regular season with a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts across 84 innings. For a bullpen that lost Michael King in the Juan Soto trade last offseason, Weaver became what the Yankees were desperately missing—a versatile arm capable of bridging multiple innings and eventually taking over the closer role when Aaron Boone decided to remove Clay Holmes in early September.

The transition to the closer role has been seamless. On September 6 at Wrigley Field, Weaver was handed his first career save opportunity and nailed it. He then closed the season with eight scoreless appearances, covering 11 innings with 24 strikeouts and just three walks. Weaver was more than ready for the pressure, and manager Aaron Boone took notice. “He’s a better pitcher than he’s probably ever been in his life, and that’s a credit to him for some of the adjustments he’s made and how he’s embraced going to the bullpen,” Boone said.

Mechanical changes lead to career year

Weaver’s success this season can be traced back to the work he put in over the winter. During the offseason, he revamped his delivery, eliminating his leg kick in favor of a more compact slide step—a change that he stumbled upon almost by accident. The early results were rocky, to the point where Boone questioned whether it would even work. But as spring training came to a close, Weaver found his rhythm, earning a spot on the roster and setting the stage for a standout season. The tweak has allowed him to recover better, resulting in the healthiest year of his career.

In addition to the mechanical change, Weaver adjusted the grip on his four-seam fastball. The result was a velocity boost, from 94 mph last year to 95.7 mph this season. The added life on the pitch generated more swings and misses and fewer foul balls, allowing him to be more efficient on the mound. His whiff rate of 33.5% was significantly higher than his career average of 24.3%.

Weaver’s transformation wasn’t just physical; it also demanded mental toughness. He had to face the disappointment and failures that had come to define much of his career up to this point. “You get kicked in the teeth enough times, and you got to get back up,” Weaver said. “You got to drive home, face your family, be a dad, be a husband, be a friend—all those things. Coming to the park every day when you’re unsuccessful is one of the hardest things to do.”

But Weaver hasn’t had to face much failure this season. Instead, he’s allowed himself moments to appreciate what he’s accomplishing. Now, as the Yankees gear up for the playoffs, Weaver will be thrust into even more crucial situations.

“I hope I don’t do the blackout thing I had mentioned,” Weaver said, recalling the nerves from his first save. “But I do know my heartbeat’s going to be up. It’s going to be inevitable. … At the end of the day, I pray it goes well, but I gotta trust what I do out there and hope the result is in my favor.”