Luke Weaver is in good health, and Devin Williams is pitching effectively—just like when he originally joined the Yankees.
Now, the team faces the task of determining how to utilize this right-handed relief option. Aaron Boone mentioned on Friday that Weaver’s flexibility is valuable, but he intends to utilize both pitchers in critical situations.
Weaver returned from Illinois after missing nearly three weeks due to left hamstring discomfort. Boone indicated that both pitchers are expected to have closing opportunities.
However, if the situation demands, Boone noted that he could call on Weaver to pitch in multi-inning scenarios, acting as a “firefighter” earlier in the game.
The Yankees found Weaver effective in this capacity during his previous stint with them last season.
Earlier this year, Weaver stepped back into a closing role after Williams struggled following his trade from Milwaukee in the offseason.
As Williams began to find his rhythm, he acknowledged Weaver’s contributions during his absence.
Boone remarked that Williams’ progress was noticeable even while he was serving as the setup man, and he feels comfortable using him in various situations.
“If we’re in a position late in the game with both available, we’ll likely go with whoever matches up best against the hitters,” Boone explained. He expressed confidence in Williams’ performance whenever called upon.
Regarding Williams’ recent outings, Boone mentioned that his performance would likely improve over time, even after experiencing some struggles, allowing six baserunners across 5²/₃ innings before the game on Friday.
Since early May, Williams has excelled using a mix of fastballs and change-ups, demonstrating effectiveness over the last few outings.
“It’s been a strong month for him,” Boone noted, adding that he expects Williams to close many games moving forward.
“We want to put both him and Weaver in the best situations possible. There might be occasions where we use Williams in the eighth,” he indicated.
Williams hasn’t been quite as dominant as Weaver, with Weaver giving up three earned runs across 25²/₃ innings, achieving an impressive 0.701 WHIP.
Looking ahead, Weaver commented that last year was filled with uncertainties for him. He transitioned from multi-inning relief to a high-leverage role, ultimately closing games at the end of the regular season and throughout the playoffs.
Now that Williams has joined the team, Weaver is back in a setup position, but he has clearly shown his ability to adapt to the Yankees’ needs.
