Luke Weaver’s Struggles on the Mound
MINNEAPOLIS – Luke Weaver faced a tough night pitching for the Yankees on Monday. Even though his team didn’t lose, the outing was far from easy for him.
After giving up five runs in just one inning over seven innings, he didn’t hold back in his assessment. “It was garbage,” he admitted.
Weaver’s previous appearance was better; he effectively handled two inherited runners in a win against the Red Sox on Saturday, striking out two batters in a way that reminded him of his previous successful seasons. But lately, he’s been showing inconsistencies, allowing at least one run in four of his last six games as he tries to regain his form ahead of the playoffs.
It seems that Monday’s struggles were partly due to mechanical issues, as he surrendered three hits along with two walks.
“My body wasn’t on time,” Weaver explained. “It felt like I was fighting myself out there. Mentally, I was focused on overcoming it, trying to maintain a good mindset. But those two aspects just didn’t align.”
He emphasized, “I’m not dealing with pain or anything like that. It’s more about energy and a disconnect with my body. But we’ve managed to find ways to push through these challenges.”
Before the game on Monday, Carlos Rodon was announced as the Yankees’ nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award.
“It’s definitely a great honor,” Rodon stated. “Roberto was a baseball ambassador, an extraordinary player and an even better person off the field, always making time to help others.”
Rodon was among several Yankees, including David Bedner and Giancarlo Stanton, who wore No. 21 in tribute to the former Pirates Hall of Famer on Roberto Clemente Day.
Bedner, who spent several years with the Pirates before joining the Yankees, shared his thoughts.
After starting in 11 consecutive games, Ben Rice was not in the lineup on Monday. Instead, he made a pinch-hit appearance and caught for eight innings.
Boone commented, “He’s obviously been playing a lot. We need to be mindful of him, especially since he hasn’t caught as much in past years.”
On another note, Aaron Judge was named the American League Player of the Week after an impressive performance, batting 9 for 20 (.450) with an OPS of 1.760 and hitting five home runs in just six games.
