Williams sidelined, Weaver’s fortune fuels Yankees’ Cleveland win

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The Yankees benched Devin Williams in Cleveland while Luke Weaver’s luck carried them to win in the final rubber game.

CLEVELAND – The New York Yankees may have escaped Cleveland with a much-needed 5-1 victory, but the win highlighted an evolving bullpen situation, leaving fans and analysts wondering about the status of Devin Williams. Once expected to be the anchor of the Yankees’ late-inning relief, Williams now finds himself on uncertain ground, while Luke Weaver, aided by a bit of luck, continues to keep the fire burning for a bullpen that’s been both unpredictable and essential.

Williams left on the bench, Weaver steps up

Saturday’s ninth-inning collapse against the Tampa Bay Rays was the moment Devin Williams‘ grip on the closer role began to slip. With an 8-4 lead entering the final frame, Williams gave up four runs, a meltdown that forced manager Aaron Boone to reconsider his bullpen hierarchy.

Fast forward to Wednesday in Cleveland. The Yankees, armed with a 5-1 lead after Carlos Rodon’s seven dominant innings and a sharp eighth by Fernando Cruz, had a familiar scenario. Rather than give Williams a shot at redemption, Boone turned to Luke Weaver.

Weaver, despite surrendering some hard-hit balls, retired the side, allowing only one hit across 11 pitches. Notably, all three outs came on deep fly balls that likely wouldn’t have stayed in the park at Yankee Stadium. Yet, in Progressive Field’s deeper confines, Weaver escaped unscathed.

Boone’s subtle signal on bullpen strategy

After the game, Boone was brief when asked about Williams. “We got [Williams] up, so just reading the situation,” he said, offering little clarity but plenty of implication.

Williams did warm up in the bullpen, prepared to enter if Weaver faltered. But Boone never called on him, choosing to let Weaver close it out. For a pitcher signed to solidify the ninth inning, that decision speaks volumes.

While not benched outright, Williams is effectively in the Yankees’ “ice box” — cooling off after a stretch of shaky performances. Whether Boone’s decision was about preserving confidence or avoiding another disaster, Williams’ role is clearly in flux.

Weaver’s lucky streak continues

Weaver’s rise has been both unexpected and statistically remarkable. Entering Wednesday, he had faced 43 batters over 10 games, allowing only seven baserunners and no runs — a feat unmatched in Yankees history through the first 10 appearances of a season.

After Cleveland, those numbers ticked up slightly — 47 batters faced, eight baserunners, still no runs. Weaver has relied heavily on favorable ballpark dimensions and timely defense, but results speak loudly in New York. Boone may have laughed about the hard contact postgame, but it’s hard to argue with a zero in the runs column.

Fernando Cruz dominates again

While Weaver’s success comes with caveats, Fernando Cruz continues to shine as a legitimate weapon. Cruz struck out two in a perfect eighth, showcasing his devastating splitter — a pitch batters are hitting just .065 against. With 19 strikeouts on the splitter alone and a 2.08 ERA, Cruz might be the bullpen’s most reliable arm to date.

Cruz’s emergence gives Boone options, especially with Williams struggling and Weaver living on the edge. Whether Boone shifts Cruz into high-leverage ninth-inning situations remains to be seen, but his performance is hard to ignore.

The bigger picture: Yankees’ bullpen balance and strategy

The Yankees’ bullpen has become a patchwork of roles, dictated more by in-game situations than traditional closer-setup roles. Boone’s flexibility has paid dividends, but it also underscores the instability caused by Williams’ fall from grace.

With an off day Thursday, Boone now has time to reassess. Will Williams return to a prominent role? Or will the Yankees continue to ride the hot hand — or the lucky one — in Weaver? Either way, clarity will be essential as the team approaches tougher opponents and tighter games.

Devin Williams’ future in the Yankees bullpen is uncertain. Boone’s cautious approach suggests a desire to rebuild confidence without exposing Williams to another high-leverage failure. The off day provides a window for recalibration, but whether Boone trusts Williams in the next close game remains to be seen.

Weaver, meanwhile, continues to enjoy favorable results, but how long can luck shield him from regression? Boone’s comment that Williams “might’ve come in” if Weaver struggled leaves the door open, but just barely.

For now, Luke Weaver keeps fans warm with zeros on the scoreboard, while Devin Williams waits in the cold, hoping for another chance to reclaim his role in pinstripes.

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