MLB · 3 months ago

Luke Weaver Injury Opens Door for Devin Williams as Yankees’ Closer

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

Luke Weaver Injury Opens Door for Devin Williams as Yankees’ Closer

The New York Yankees, riding high in the AL standings, have hit a temporary snag with Luke Weaver sidelined 4 to 6 weeks due to a hamstring injury. The bullpen depth takes a hit, but it also brings Devin Williams back into the spotlight—a name Yankees bettors and fantasy owners should circle in bold.

Let’s break it down from a Yankees’ lens—what this means for the Bronx Bombers on the field, and more importantly, how you can make money betting Yankees games over the next month.

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Luke Weaver Out: What It Means for the Yankees Bullpen

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Weaver had carved out a reliable role in high-leverage spots, even sniffing save opportunities when Devin Williams struggled. His hamstring tweak last Sunday night in Los Angeles couldn’t have come at a worse time, especially with New York in the thick of the AL race and Sunday Night Baseball exposure.

Weaver’s projected 4–6 week timeline puts him out through early July. While the Yankees bullpen is deep, losing a multi-inning weapon like Weaver limits flexibility. Manager Aaron Boone might now lean more heavily on Williams in the 9th and use guys like Ian Hamilton or Jonathan Loaisiga earlier.

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Devin Williams Reclaims the Closer Role: Trust or Fade?

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Here’s the kicker: Devin Williams was the presumed closer heading into the year, but early struggles—particularly in the 9th inning—cost him the gig. Ironically, he thrived in setup duty. But with Weaver out, Williams has been thrust back into the closer’s chair and has responded decently this past week.

From a betting standpoint, this creates volatility in live MLB markets and bullpen props. If Williams nails down 2-3 clean saves over the next 10 days, he could solidify the role—especially given the Yankees’ tendency to stick with high-leverage veterans they invested in, like Williams, whom they traded for in the offseason.

Betting Tip: If Williams starts converting clean saves, look for sharper under bettors backing Yankees team totals against (due to stronger late-game hold potential) or even closer-specific save props when offered.

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How to Bet Yankees Games Without Weaver

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Without Weaver, the Yankees may rely more on back-end matchups, meaning runline bets (especially when laying -1.5) come with added risk. Close games where Weaver might’ve delivered two shutdown innings could now stretch the bullpen thin or lead to higher-variance arms.

Here’s how to adjust your betting:

Live Bet Strategy: In tight games heading into the 6th inning, consider live betting the opponent if the Yankees haven’t built a cushion.
Yankees ML Instead of RL: Back the Yankees moneyline instead of the runline until Williams proves he can consistently lock down the 9th.
Game Total Bets: Watch for inflated totals due to perceived bullpen weakness. If Williams steps up, the under might be undervalued.

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Here’s where it gets sticky for fantasy managers and futures bettors. If Williams looks confident, the Yankees brass—including Brian Cashman—may stick with him. Even if Weaver returns in mid-July at full strength, the club might envision him as a multi-inning bridge guy rather than a one-inning closer.

Hot Take: If you’re betting on Yankees World Series odds, this month could define whether they have a bullpen with October depth. If Williams thrives, it makes their path through the postseason cleaner. If not, expect them to be active at the trade deadline for another arm.

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Final Thoughts: A Fan’s Bet and a Bettor’s Edge

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As a diehard Yankees fan, you never want to see a guy like Luke Weaver go down—he did everything asked and never lost the job. But the Yankees are always about results, and if Williams gets hot, he’s not giving the closer job back.

So what’s the play?