Judge downplays Luke Weaver’s brilliant save: ‘You can’t replace a Devin Williams’

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On a night when the bullpen nearly unraveled a commanding lead, the New York Yankees found salvation in the unlikeliest form: a spotless, composed, and clutch four-out save from Luke Weaver. While his dominance in the final innings of Thursday’s 9-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks drew praise across the Yankees’ clubhouse, team captain Aaron Judge reminded everyone of the big picture.

“You can’t replace a Devin Williams,” Judge said postgame. “But you got a guy like Luke Weaver who, we all saw what he did there the last month, month-and-a-half with us — especially in the postseason.”

With Devin Williams on paternity leave, the New York Yankees turned to Weaver in a high-leverage moment Thursday night — and he delivered. Stepping into a precarious situation in the eighth inning, the Yankees closer retired four straight batters, including three on swinging strikes in the ninth, to earn his first save of the 2025 season. It was just his second appearance since Opening Day.

Weaver steps in, shuts it down

The game had all the makings of a blowout. The Yankees built a commanding six-run lead through the early innings, but their bullpen struggled to keep Arizona at bay. Weaver entered with two outs in the eighth, inheriting a precarious situation after Ryan Yarbrough and Mark Leiter Jr. nearly unraveled what was once a six-run Yankees lead. Yarbrough had already surrendered a grand slam, and Leiter Jr. allowed a single to pinch-hitter Ketel Marte before Boone summoned Weaver.

As the Diamondbacks threatened again with two outs and a runner on base, manager Aaron Boone turned to Weaver.

“We needed someone to shut the door,” Boone said. “Luke gave us that.”

The right-hander responded with perhaps his sharpest outing since last October.

“That’s probably the best he has thrown the ball since the World Series,” Boone said. “The cutter and the change were both really good. To do it fairly efficiently, I thought he was really crisp.”

In a seven-pitch battle with Gabriel Moreno, Weaver won decisively, inducing a groundout to second. Then, he cruised through the ninth, recording three swing-and-miss pitches, including a lethal changeup to seal the win.

Yankees’ trust in Weaver reaffirmed

For Yankees manager Boone, who faced early-season questions about Weaver’s reduced velocity — down from an average 95.7 mph last season to 93.4 in his first 2025 outing — Thursday was a vindication. his fastball reached 94 mph, but more importantly, his command and confidence were back.

“It was coming out good tonight,” Boone said. “Fairly efficient. Really crisp.”

Weaver, in just his second appearance of the season and first in over a week, gave the Yankees the steadiness they sorely needed. The Diamondbacks had taken the first two games of the series and were threatening a sweep. But Weaver slammed the door shut, proving yet again that he thrives in chaos.

Judge looks ahead to ‘nasty’ duo

While praising Weaver’s gutsy save, smash-hitting slugger Aaron Judge was quick to temper expectations, placing the spotlight back on the Yankees’ prized offseason acquisition.

“It’s gonna be a nasty combo down there at the back end,” Judge said, referencing the anticipated late-game pairing of Williams and Weaver.

It’s a duo that could rival any in baseball. Williams, known for his devastating “Airbender” changeup and elite swing-and-miss rates, is expected to return soon. Paired with Weaver, who filled the closer role seamlessly late last season when Clay Holmes faltered, the Yankees envision a formidable one-two punch in the eighth and ninth.

But Thursday’s game was a reminder that Williams, while irreplaceable, isn’t the only reliever capable of closing high-pressure games in the Bronx.

Escarra and Weaver form instant chemistry

Weaver wasn’t the only Yankee enjoying a special night. Rookie catcher JC Escarra — making his first MLB start — caught Weaver for the first time and came away impressed.

“Amazing,” Escarra said. “He just had this calm to him. I was excited to be back there catching him.”

Escarra also recorded his first big-league hit in the game, a double in the seventh inning, adding to the emotional charge of the night.

Their connection behind the plate could pay dividends for the Yankees as the season progresses, especially if Escarra continues to earn starts.

The bigger picture

The Yankees’ 9-7 win moved them to 5-2 on the season and salvaged a game in what could’ve been a demoralizing sweep. But more importantly, it offered a glimpse into the depth of their bullpen.

Weaver, once an unsung hero in 2024, showed he can still deliver when the spotlight’s hottest. Williams remains the anchor — and is expected back imminently — but Thursday proved that when the Yankees are pressed, they have answers.

In the Bronx, those qualities go a long way. Especially in October. And Thursday night felt like a test — one that Luke Weaver passed with flying colors.

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