Yankees’ Luke Weaver sidelined due to strained hamstring

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    NEW YORK — The New York Yankees were dealt a blow with the loss of Luke Weaver, the team’s closer, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring. This injury occurred while he was warming up during the Yankees’ recent 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The setback is expected to keep Weaver off the mound until at least early July, possibly extending to the All-Star break.

    Weaver recounted the incident, explaining, “I simply stepped off the back of the mound and felt an unusual sensation in my hamstring. It was a bit alarming.” With Weaver on the sidelines, Devin Williams, who experienced a rough start to the season and was temporarily removed as closer, has regained the role. Williams managed to secure a 3-2 victory against the Cleveland Guardians despite conceding a run in a tense 30-pitch ninth inning.

    Commenting on his outlook, Williams shared, “The runs count the same in the seventh and eighth, so I view it all the same.” Meanwhile, the Yankees have not given a definitive timeline for Weaver’s return, though the pitcher acknowledged ESPN’s estimated recovery period of four to six weeks. “I don’t want to focus too much on numbers, but I also don’t want to dismiss the timeline,” he said.

    In the roster shuffle, New York activated infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and right-hander Fernando Cruz from the injured list. In addition, they brought up right-hander Yerry de los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, sent infielder Jorbit Vivas back to the RailRiders, and designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment.

    Weaver, a 31-year-old right-hander poised to become a free agent this fall, holds a record of 1-1 with an impressive 1.05 ERA and has converted eight out of nine save opportunities. His performance last fall saw him replace Clay Holmes as the team’s primary closer. Weaver caught attention in May when he became the first Yankees pitcher since September 2021 to appear in three consecutive regular-season games.

    Reflecting on his unexpected injury, Weaver remarked, “It’s difficult to pinpoint one cause. I was shocked this happened, considering what I know my body can handle.” In Weaver’s absence, Williams, who joined the Yankees as a two-time All-Star acquisition from Milwaukee in December, stands at 2-2 with a 6.35 ERA through 26 games, with six saves out of seven attempts.

    Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Williams’s ability to return to form, stating, “He’s been throwing the ball exceptionally well of late. I have full confidence in him returning to his dominant form.” Against the Guardians, Williams navigated a challenging ninth inning but managed to secure the win despite an RBI single by Daniel Schneemann.

    Reflecting on his progression, Williams shared, “Two months in, I’m far more settled now than at the start of the season. I’ve got my routine down, which was a major adjustment earlier in the year.”

    The Yankees made Weaver’s injured list placement retroactive to Monday, with Boone indicating that they’re still determining whether Weaver will need a platelet-rich plasma injection. Concluding on Weaver’s injury, Boone remarked, “It’s definitely a setback, but one that we’re prepared to manage and overcome.”