Luke Weaver on 2024 season with Yankees, role in playoffs

The Yankees’ Luke Weaver was one of Major League Baseball’s breakout relievers in 2024.

Across 84 innings (62 appearances), the 31-year-old had a 2.89 ERA and a whopping 103 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks. Weaver will have a chance to continue his stellar season when and if he appears in his first career postseason game in the American League Division Series against either the Orioles or Royals starting on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

“It’s definitely different for me. I’m usually packed up and heading back to Florida in prior years,” Weaver told MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM. “It’s an exciting time.”

The Yankees claimed Weaver off waivers in September 2023 and watched him pitch well in three starts down the stretch. After shifting to the bullpen this year, Weaver had one of the best seasons of his nine-year career and become an integral part of the Yankees’ bullpen.

The right-hander even saved four games in the final month for New York. Weaver, however, doesn’t see himself as the closer in October for the Yankees.

“I don’t see myself as the closer. I want to make that clear,” Weaver said. “I see myself as somebody to come into the situation that I’m called up [for], and just try to get outs.”

Whether or not he is the closer, Weaver figures to have an important role as a late-inning option in the playoffs along with Tommy Kahnle and Clay Holmes.