NEW YORK -- Luke Weaver has been an indispensable find for the Yankees’ bullpen over the past year-plus, providing excellent work in the closer’s role last September leading into the postseason, then again early this season when Devin Williams experienced a bumpy first month in pinstripes.
The Yankees will have to piece together the late innings without Weaver for at least a good chunk of June, as the right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hamstring strain. Weaver and manager Aaron Boone declined to offer a timetable for Weaver’s return, nor an injury grade.
ESPN reported that Weaver could miss four to six weeks, consistent with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Boone said Weaver told him he hoped to return in the minimum 15 days, which Boone viewed as overly optimistic. Boone said Weaver could receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to speed healing.
“I was very blindsided by the fact that this happened,” Weaver said. “I take a lot of internal impact just when it comes to figuring out why, figuring out the signs, if there’s anything I could have done better. But it is what it is. I want to make sure that I’m strong … and get back out there.”
Weaver’s IL assignment came amid a flurry of roster moves before Tuesday’s series opener against the Guardians, which included reinstating infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the 10-day injured list and righty reliever Fernando Cruz from the 15-day IL.
They also got good news on outfielder Jasson Domínguez, whose bruised left thumb is improving after he injured it sliding into second base Sunday in Los Angeles.
“It seems like it’s gotten better every day,” Boone said.
Weaver has a 1.05 ERA and eight saves in 25 2/3 innings this season. He sustained the injury, which he called “alarming,” while warming up Sunday at Dodger Stadium; Tim Hill instead finished New York’s 7-3 win over the Dodgers.
“He’s been one of the best relievers in the sport now going back to last year, and obviously early this year,” Boone said. “It’s definitely a blow, and one I think we can handle and withstand.”
With Weaver shelved, Boone indicated most of the save opportunities will go to Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year with the Brewers who has pitched to a 6.23 ERA across 25 appearances with the Yanks, logging five saves in six opportunities.
“He’s at full force right now,” Weaver said of Williams. “For whatever we were seeing or whatever y’all want to write about, I knew internally I felt the same way from the beginning – I knew we got a stud pitcher. We got one of the elites in the game, and when he is at his peak, there’s not much that can be done on the hitters’ side.”
In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled right-hander Yerry De los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Chisholm, meanwhile, returns for the first time since April 29, having been sidelined with a right oblique strain. In 30 games for the Yankees, he's batting .181 with a .714 OPS. Chisholm was the starting second baseman at the time of his injury; he’s now moving back to third base.
“He’s a very dynamic player for us on both sides of the ball,” Boone said. “He lengthens our lineup and can beat you in a lot of different ways. I know he’s excited to be back and raring to go.”
Cruz returns after dealing with right shoulder inflammation, having last pitched May 17. He's been one of New York's more reliable relievers this season, posting a 2.66 ERA in 21 appearances.
“Getting Cruz back is a big shot in the arm for us,” Boone said.
In other moves, New York optioned infielder Jorbit Vivas to Triple-A and designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment.
Additionally, the Yankees transferred the rehab assignment of right-hander JT Brubaker from Double-A Somerset to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Right-hander Jake Cousins commenced a rehab assignment with High-A Hudson Valley.