Luke Weaver made an appearance in the Yankees’ clubhouse on Thursday morning, but not as an active player.
That could change on Friday, as Aaron Boone said that there’s “a chance” the right-hander will return for the start of the Bombers’ divisional series against the Orioles. Boone wanted to see how Weaver got through Thursday after throwing live batting practice on Tuesday.
It was Weaver’s first time facing hitters since straining his left hamstring on June 1 at Dodger Stadium. He simulated a four-out appearance over two innings while throwing upwards of 20 pitches at Yankee Stadium.
“Today was a big day in progression,” Weaver said after his live session. “We’ll see how tomorrow feels, but every day that I’ve done anything has yielded great results. Recovery has been very minimal as far as any soreness or anything negative.”
Weaver’s potential return would come less than three weeks after his injury and without a rehab assignment. It was initially reported that he would miss 4-6 weeks, but Weaver, who received a PRP injection, said he hasn’t felt any issues with his hammy since a day or two after the injury occurred during a mid-game stretch.
Weaver’s return also means Boone has to determine how he will handle the ninth inning.
Weaver took over the closer’s role at the end of April after Devin Williams recorded an 11.25 ERA, two losses and one blown save over his first 10 games with the Yankees. However, Williams, who returned to the job after Weaver got hurt, has been much better since the initial demotion, recording a 2.95 ERA and five saves over 20 games prior to Thursday’s series finale against the Angels. He had allowed just one run and had not blown a save since Weaver went on the IL.
Williams entered Thursday with a 5.47 ERA and nine saves overall.
With Williams and Weaver slated for free agency, Boone claimed he hasn’t made a decision on who will close, but he planned on talking to both once the latter is officially back.
The manager also didn’t rule out splitting closing responsibilities between the two.
“We’ll see,” Boone said when asked about such an arrangement. “Look, let’s get through the day with Luke, and when he’s ready to come back, we’ll have that conversation.”
Weaver, a former starter, has been flexible about his role since becoming a Yankee in 2023. Williams, meanwhile, said that reclaiming the closer’s role didn’t matter to him in mid-May.
Whatever his role, Weaver will be a welcomed addition to the Yankees’ pen.
Now in his second full year with the team, the quirky reliever recorded a 1.05 ERA and eight saves while holding opponents to a .128/.191/.221 slash line over 24 games and 25.2 innings before his injury.
“Anytime you add someone like Luke, it just makes the entire pen better,” Boone said.
