NEW YORK — Luke Weaver dominated opposing hitters during the first two months of the season. The New York Yankees reliever looked like their most reliable bullpen weapon through May. But his return from a hamstring injury has produced alarming results that threaten the team’s playoff hopes.
Weaver’s latest meltdown came Friday night during the Subway Series opener against the Mets. He entered the seventh inning protecting a one-run lead at Citi Field. Instead of preserving the advantage, he surrendered a crushing two-run homer to Jeff McNeil after walking Pete Alonso with two outs.
The blown save handed the Yankees a devastating 6-5 defeat. The loss extended their skid to five straight games and highlighted Weaver’s continued post-injury decline. His struggles have become a major concern for a bullpen already under siege.
Sharp decline following injury return
Robert Sabo for NY Post
Weaver’s early-season performance established him as one of baseball’s premier setup men. Through his first 25.2 innings before hitting the injured list on May 31, he compiled a spectacular 1.05 ERA. He allowed just two home runs during that dominant stretch.
His return from the hamstring strain on June 20 marked the beginning of his downfall. Luke Weaver has surrendered four long balls across seven appearances since his activation. His ERA has skyrocketed to 3.19 during this troubling period.
The statistical collapse tells a disturbing story. Weaver has yielded nine runs in just 5.1 innings since returning from injury. Eight of those runs were earned, representing a dramatic reversal from his early excellence.
Home runs have become his biggest nemesis. He’s allowed round-trippers in three consecutive outings, including two to George Springer earlier this week. McNeil’s blast Friday continued the troubling pattern.
“I said I’ve been feeling good. That just might be a lie now,” Weaver admitted. “It’s hard to make sense of what’s going on.”
Yankees maintain confidence despite results
Yankees manager Aaron Boone continues supporting Weaver publicly despite the mounting evidence. The skipper believes the issue stems from execution rather than physical limitations. He views the situation as a “fine line” between success and failure.
“Fully trusting him to get through that,” Boone said. “Because the stuff is where it needs to be, I think he’ll get through that.”
Boone emphasized Weaver’s mental toughness and competitive nature. He pointed to characteristics that made the right-hander effective earlier this season and last year. The manager stressed that Weaver “is not afraid” and “likes the action” in high-pressure situations.
Starter Marcus Stroman offered similar support for his teammate. The veteran expressed unwavering confidence in Weaver’s ability to handle crucial moments.
“There’s nobody we want with the ball in their hands and the game on the line more than Luke Weaver or Devin Williams,” Stroman said.
However, baseball’s success depends on results rather than faith. Weaver’s recent performances have undermined the confidence his teammates and coaches continue expressing.
Pitcher takes responsibility for struggles
Weaver has shown remarkable honesty about his recent failures. He refuses to make excuses despite the team’s challenging schedule. The Yankees played in Toronto Thursday night before flying to New York for Friday’s day game.
“It’s hard to make an excuse,” he said. “Everybody’s competing. We’ve got other guys out there doing their job.”
The right-hander has turned his focus inward while searching for solutions. He acknowledged the limited options available during this difficult stretch.
“At this point, I’ve got two options,” Weaver said. “I can sulk and feel bad for myself or I can foundationally grind and find a way to just be flat-out better…for myself, for my teammates, and for this team in general, for the fans.”
His self-awareness represents an admirable quality. Unfortunately, accountability doesn’t erase the damage from another late-game collapse in a rivalry matchup.
Bullpen crisis extends beyond Weaver
AP
Weaver’s regression reflects broader problems plaguing the Yankees’ relief corps. The bullpen has compiled a 4.95 ERA since June 15, ranking sixth-worst among all MLB teams during that span.
Injuries have depleted the unit’s depth and forced Boone to overuse available arms. Fernando Cruz’s oblique strain removed another reliable option from the mix. The manager has leaned heavily on pitchers like Weaver and Ian Hamilton as a result.
Hamilton also struggled Friday night, surrendering a solo homer to Brett Baty. The blast marked the second consecutive inning where Yankees relievers allowed home runs. Hamilton’s ERA now stands at 3.66 despite recent improvements.
Starting pitching has compounded the bullpen’s workload issues. Clarke Schmidt lasted just three innings Thursday, forcing the relief staff to cover extra frames. Such shortened outings have become increasingly common.
McNeil’s decisive blast caps Weaver’s woos
Weaver entered Friday’s seventh inning with two outs and the bases empty. He quickly fell behind Pete Alonso 3-2 before issuing a walk that proved costly. McNeil then stepped to the plate representing the go-ahead run.
The count reached full before Weaver missed with a changeup low and inside. McNeil didn’t waste the opportunity. The Mets second baseman launched the offering into the right-field stands for a two-run homer.
The blast flipped both the score and the atmosphere at Citi Field. It mirrored similar disasters Tuesday and Thursday in Toronto when Springer twice victimized Weaver in high-leverage situations.
For a pitcher who posted a 0.73 ERA over his first 23 appearances, the recent reversal has been shocking. Three misplaced changeups have cost the Yankees three critical victories.
Manager sees no mechanical issues
Boone insists Weaver’s problems don’t stem from mechanical flaws. The manager believes execution represents the primary issue affecting his reliever’s performance.
Aaron Boone on Luke Weaver's recent troubles, the latest with Clarke Schmidt, & storylines that played out in Friday's game. #YANKSonYESpic.twitter.com/PHTdfEJzFr
“He just needs to execute pitches,” the skipper said. “It’s not like the stuff’s down. He’s in a good place physically.”
Boone stressed that only a handful of poorly located pitches have caused the damage. However, each mistake has occurred during pivotal moments when the margin for error disappears completely.
The manager’s assessment suggests Weaver possesses the physical tools to regain his early-season form. Mental adjustments and better command could restore his effectiveness quickly.
Yankees’ championship dreams at risk
The Yankees now occupy second place in the American League East after winning the division seemed inevitable months ago. They’ve lost 15 of their last 21 games while watching their playoff positioning deteriorate rapidly.
A team once considered a legitimate World Series contender has devolved into maddening inconsistency. Their bullpen transformed from a strength into a glaring weakness that threatened every lead.
“It’s devastating,” Weaver said of his recent struggles. “Not winning big moments…that’s just where it’s been lately.”
The right-hander’s candid assessment captures the frustration surrounding the Yankees’ collapse. Individual failures have accumulated into team-wide problems that demand immediate solutions.
Trade deadline reinforcements becoming essential
General manager Brian Cashman faces mounting pressure to address the bullpen’s deficiencies before the trade deadline. Cruz’s injury and Weaver’s regression have exposed a relief corps desperately needing help.
While Weaver could still rediscover his early-season dominance, the Yankees can’t afford to wait for his turnaround. The AL East race continues tightening while their postseason chances diminish with each passing defeat.
Cashman must balance faith in current personnel with the reality of their recent performances. The front office’s decisions over the next few weeks could determine whether this season ends in October success or September disappointment.
