NEW YORK — Big news out of the Bronx: The New York Yankees have officially activated reliever Luke Weaver from the 15-day injured list, and according to manager Aaron Boone, the hard-throwing right-hander will now share closing responsibilities with fellow bullpen arm Devin Williams.
Weaver, who had been sidelined for 17 days due to a left hamstring strain, returns without a rehab assignment, and he’s ready to jump straight into high-leverage roles. Prior to the injury, he was one of the league’s top-performing relievers, posting a dominant 1.05 ERA across 25 2/3 innings, converting 8 of 9 save opportunities over 24 appearances.
Though Devin Williams began the 2025 season as the team’s full-time closer, a rocky April saw him briefly lose that title. Williams surrendered 12 runs (10 earned) over just 8 innings, and opposing hitters teed off on him—batting .462 against his four-seam fastball and .273 against his trademark Airbender changeup.
However, Williams has since bounced back strong. In his last 15 outings, he’s pitched to a stellar 1.88 ERA and notched five saves, regaining much of the form that made him one of baseball’s most feared bullpen weapons.
Boone now envisions a fluid approach to the closer role.
“On some nights, [Weaver] will be [the closer,]” Boone explained. “I kind of look at him and Devin like we have two elite guys [in the back end of the bullpen]. With how well Devin has been throwing the ball the last month, you pretty much are going to keep him to an inning.”
“With Weav, he is kind of the fireman kind of guy. It’s a big spot in the seventh where you need to get an out, that will be kind of Weav’s role. On the nights where they are both available and we are in the eighth inning in a save situation, I will probably match it up to how I think they line up best with who is coming up in that situation.”
No Rehab, No Problem: Weaver Says He’s Ready
Despite the time off, Weaver opted not to take a rehab stint before returning to the Yankees bullpen. According to him, he’s been carefully ramping up activity and is physically locked in.
“The body has reacted every single day. We pushed it to the limits smartly,” Weaver said. “Throwing hasn’t been delayed in any way, and I feel ready to go tonight.”
Weaver added that his velocity is right where it needs to be heading into game action:
“I know it was two-plus weeks [since I last pitched], but the velocity is there. I was up to 96 [mph] in live batting practice, which is very nice. My [bullpen sessions] have been 94, 95. That’s on the high end that I will ever do when I’m fully healthy.”
With Weaver’s power arm now back in the fold and Williams returning to elite form, the Yankees suddenly have one of the most formidable back ends in the American League.
Boone’s flexible bullpen strategy will allow him to deploy either pitcher depending on matchups, game flow, and inning leverage—giving the Yankees a major edge as the midseason playoff push intensifies.
The Bronx is buzzing again, and with Weaver firing at full strength, don’t be surprised to see him closing tight games under the lights at Yankee Stadium very soon.