New York Yankees right-hander Luke Weaver picked up the final four outs to preserve a 9-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Weaver held the Diamondbacks scoreless while notching one strikeout to pick up his first save of the season. The veteran hurler usually operates in a set-up role but was called upon to get the save with regular closer Devin Williams away on paternity leave. Williams is expected to return on Friday, which will bump Weaver back to his normal spot. That being said, Weaver is worth a look in fantasy leagues that reward reliever holds. Weaver has now appeared in two games this season, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts for the Yankees.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Luke Weaver had his 2025 club option exercised according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. This deal is valued at $2.5 million. During the regular season, the 31-year-old emerged as a key contributor in the Yankee bullpen as he held a solid 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings of work. He generated strikeouts at an elite 31.1% rate. In the postseason, Weaver was deployed as the go-to option in the ninth inning as he tallied four saves with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP in 15 1/3 frames of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Yankee bullpen in the offseason as Weaver could open the 2025 campaign as the clear ninth-inning option.

New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver finally had a bad showing this postseason, taking his first blown save in a 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS. Weaver had been terrific before this game, allowing just one run in seven frames and converting all four of his save chances. Unfortunately, he threw one bad pitch to Jhonkensy Noel in this one, and Big Christmas took him deep. It was actually the first blown save of Weaver's entire 2024 campaign, and even though he only took over the full-time closer role in September, that is still impressive. He will continue to work as the Yankees closer and should have the team's full trust despite the tough outing.

New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver earned his fourth save of the 2024 postseason after a five-out appearance in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Guardians. The 31-year-old came on with one out in the eighth inning after three straight singles from Cleveland hitters, getting the next two batters out to end the rally. He then walked the first batter in the ninth, but struck out the next three, recording four strikeouts total and earning the save. Weaver has been excellent in the postseason, having yet to allow a run while posting a 0.50 WHIP and a 1:9 BB:K over six innings pitched. When you have designs on making a World Series run, this is just the type of dominance you need out of your closer. The Yankees lead the ALCS series 1-0 with the next game to be played Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver was back at it again on Thursday, shutting down the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning of Game 4 to send the Yankees to the ALCS with a 3-2 win. Weaver threw a perfect frame with two strikeouts. The 31-year-old pitched in all four games of this series, allowing no runners to cross the plate and surrendering only two hits and zero walks over 4 IP in total. He has been excellent as the Yankees closer, and they will continue to use him heavily during this postseason run.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-handed reliever Luke Weaver could close "a lot" of games but didn't exactly anoint him as the closer, saying "it may turn out that Luke comes into a spot in the sixth inning and gets four or five important outs when the game is on the line." Clay Holmes was recently demoted as the team's primary closer, and the 31-year-old Weaver has picked up two saves since then. In addition to his two saves, Weaver has been downright dominant with 16 strikeouts and only three walks in 7 1/3 scoreless innings since Holmes was demoted. He has been solid for the Yankees in 59 appearances out of their bullpen in his first full season with the Bronx, posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 80 1/3 innings. With the way he's been pitching of late, Weaver is probably the best bet for save chances down the stretch and into the postseason in October.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luke Weaver (neck) won't make his scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. It appears the right-hander is dealing with neck stiffness, so the team will take a cautious approach here. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Yankees this past offseason. Weaver has struggled to establish himself as a legitimate starter at the big league level. He looks to make the team as a back-end starter, so hopefully he can get back on the mound soon.

Free-agent right-hander Luke Weaver and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal on Thursday, pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract includes a club option for 2025 and can max out at $8.25 million. Weaver wasn't very great in 2023 while posting a 6.40 ERA (5.61 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 40 walks and 109 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings over 29 outings (25 starts) for the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and Yankees. The 30-year-old was most impressive in New York, though, allowing five earned runs while striking out 16 in 13 1/3 innings over his three starts in the Bronx. Weaver is going to be an option to round out the Yankees' starting rotation in 2024, but he's probably going to be a volatile fantasy arm in AL-only leagues.

The New York Yankees claimed right-hander Luke Weaver off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday and moved left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The Mariners designated Weaver for assignment last weekend after he allowed nine earned runs on 16 hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out eight in 13 1/3 innings over five outings (one start) for them. The 30-year-old has posted a rough 6.77 ERA (5.75 FIP), 1.61 WHIP, 37 walks and 93 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings over 26 appearances (22 starts) for the M's and Cincinnati Reds in 2023, so he's basically been well off the fantasy radar all year.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luke Weaver (arm) left his Tuesday start early after a comebacker hit him on the left arm, according to MLB.com. Manager David Bell told reporters after the game that X-rays came back negative, and there's a chance he'll make his next start, scheduled for Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This news has little fantasy impact, as Weaver's been one of the worst starting pitchers this season, producing a 7.22 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 64 strikeouts across 76 innings. Even if he avoids time on the injured list, fantasy managers should drop the 29-year-old if they haven't already.

The Cincinnati Reds activated right-hander Luke Weaver (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday, and he will start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his season debut. In a corresponding move, right-handed rookie Levi Stoudt was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Weaver is getting a late start to the season after dealing with right forearm inflammation in spring training. The 29-year-old mostly pitched in relief for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals in 2022 and wasn't very good, posting a 6.56 ERA in only 35 2/3 innings. We wouldn't recommend using Weaver as a streamer in fantasy in his first start of the year. Stoudt's MLB debut didn't go very well on Wednesday, as he allowed seven runs on nine hits (one homer) in four innings against the Rays.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luke Weaver (forearm) is expected to come off the injured list to start on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pitching prospect Levi Stoudt is being brought up for a spot start on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, which will allow the Reds to push Hunter Greene (leg) back to this weekend after he was hit by a comebacker in his last outing on Monday. The 29-year-old Weaver has been recovering from a flexor tendon strain and will make his 2023 debut for the Reds after allowing three runs on three hits while walking four and striking out nine in nine innings over his two rehab starts with Triple-A Louisville. Weaver should stick in Cincy's rotation moving forward, making him valuable at least in NL-only formats.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luke Weaver (forearm) is throwing an extended bullpen Sunday. If all goes well, he will head out on a rehab assignment. Weaver could take a spot in the rotation, but he isn't worth owning even in the deepest of leagues. He pitched 35 2/3 and had a 6.56 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with a 20% strikeout rate.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luke Weaver (elbow) is scheduled to throw an extended bullpen session on Sunday. His next step in the process would be a rehab assignment, barring any setbacks. The 29-year-old righty has been dealing with forearm soreness that popped up during spring training but could join the Reds' rotation later this month. He put up a poor 6.56 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over 35 2/3 innings between the Diamondbacks and Royals last season.

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent right-hander Luke Weaver to a one-year deal worth $2 million on Friday. He will compete for a starting rotation spot in spring training. Weaver had a combined 26 appearances (only one start) last year and posted a 6.56 ERA (2.69 FIP), 1.82 WHIP and 20 percent strikeout rate over only 35 2/3 innings with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. The 29-year-old came to Arizona in 2019 in the Paul Goldschmidt trade. He had a career-best 2.94 ERA in 12 starts in his first year in the desert but hasn't been any good since. Weaver won't be particularly attractive if he wins a spot in Cincy's starting rotation, and if not he'll fill a relief role out of the bullpen. He can be ignored in mixed leagues in 2023.

The Seattle Mariners claimed right-hander Luke Weaver off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Weaver begin the 2022 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was traded to the Royals in August. He finished his season with a combined 6.56 ERA (2.69 FIP), a 1.82 WHIP, 38 strikeouts and 13 walks in 35 2/3 innings pitched at the major-league level in 26 appearances (one starts) for Arizona and Kansas City. In 14 relief appearances for the Royals after the trade, Weaver allowed 15 runs (12 earned) while giving up 28 hits, walking eight and striking out 19 in 19 1/3 frames. He'll be competing for a spot in the bullpen for Seattle's relief corps in spring training next year.

The Kansas City Royals acquired right-hander Luke Weaver from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Emmanuel Rivera on Monday. Weaver has appeared in 12 games for Arizona in 2022, posting a 1-1 record, 7.71 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings of work. Look for Weaver to try to help bolster the Kansas City bullpen moving forward.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Luke Weaver (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Sunday and is expected to provide bulk innings in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies behind starter Kyle Nelson. Weaver has been out since early April with an elbow strain, and he said he made adjustments to his delivery and was thrilled with the results. The 28-year-old allowed two runs in six innings while walking two and striking out five on his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno. Weaver is standing taller in his delivery and "trying to use less body and to use more arm and try to let that flow and be natural." He opened the year as a reliever, but he's been building up and should eventually be a starter for the D-backs.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver (elbow) is scheduled to make another minor league rehab appearance this week. The young right-hander threw 43 pitching during an two inning outing on Thursday. The Diamondbacks want Weaver to get through three innings of work before activating him. There's a good chance that he returns as a multi inning reliever when he's healthy. That being said, Weaver is unlikely to have fantasy value if he comes out of the bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitchers Luke Weaver (elbow) and Keynan Middleton (elbow) are both scheduled to make rehab outings at Triple-A Reno on Thursday. Both players are on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Weaver, who has been out since Opening Day, is expected to throw around three innings or 45 pitches on Thursday. Middleton, meanwhile, will only pitch an inning on Thursday. He's been on the shelf since mid-May.