Luke

Weaver

With the transaction official, Weaver goes into the 40-man spot opened up by the Jeff McNeil trade. The 32-year-old figures to pitch in front of Devin Williams with the Mets, just as he did with the Yankees at the beginning of last season. Primarily a starter previously, he had a 3.21 ERA, 12 saves, 43 holds and a 175/46 K/BB over 148 2/3 innings in his two years in the Bronx.

Swooping in for another ex-Yankee, the Mets will likely use Weaver as their eighth-inning guy, pitching in front of Devin Williams. We’re guessing this means no Mason Miller trade with the Padres is happening, though it always seemed rather unlikely that he’d be part of a deal.

The Bombers have recently shied away from giving relievers multiyear deals, but Weaver will expect one, even after struggling in the second half of last season and especially faltering in the postseason, when he gave up five runs and retired only one batter over three appearances. Weaver should have his pick of setup gigs with contenders or closing opportunities with lesser teams. It does appear that he’ll remain in the pen, though; he’s indicated he’s open to a return to starting, but according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, it seems his suitors all view him as a reliever.

Weaver was tasked with working the ninth inning with the Yankees trailing by a run on Tuesday. He made things interesting by allowing a leadoff double to Brooks Baldwin but battled back to retire the next three hitters in order to strand him at second base. He then became the beneficiary as the Yankees walked it off in the home half of the frame. For the season, the 32-year-old hurler boasts a 3.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 70/20 K/BB ratio over 62 2/3 innings on the season.

Williams struck out Randy Arozarena and then got soft outs from Jorge Polanco and Luke Raley in the tie game. Even though it was just seven pitches, it probably will rule Williams out for Friday, since he also worked Wednesday and the Yankees generally don’t use relievers three days in a row. Luke Weaver might close then.

Williams’ save was No. 12 on the year for him. It appears the 30-year-old right-hander is continuing to separate himself from Luke Weaver at the backend of the Yankees bullpen. Weaver has allowed eight runs and four home runs in seven appearances since returning from the injured list while Williams has converted his last eight save opportunities.

Devin Williams opened the door for Weaver last night by taking a loss after coming into a tie game, but Weaver walked straight into the wall once again. He’s surrendered seven runs — six earned — in five innings since coming off the IL two weeks ago.

Weaver took over with two on and one out in a tied game in the seventh. He should have had the first guy he faced, Addison Barger, struck out, but Barger managed to hit J.C. Escarra’s glove with a late half-swing and was awarded first base. After that came a single and the slam from George Springer. Weaver retired Vladimir Guerrero Jr. afterwards and was lifted having given up three runs, two of which were earned. Weaver will probably be fine, but since Devin Williams has settled back into the closer’s role nicely, Weaver is droppable in mixed leagues.

Williams has righted the ship after a rough start to the season that saw him relinquish the closer’s role to Luke Weaver. While it took an injury to Weaver to get Williams back to closing, it doesn’t look like Williams wants to go back to setting up. He’s been excellent since Weaver went down and even now that he’s back the Yankees seem content to let the saves go to Williams despite manager Aaron Boone’s public comments that both would receive save opportunities.

There was no ninth-inning save chance for the Yankees tonight after Jonathan Loáisiga blew a three-run lead in the seventh, but the team was clearly prepared to go with Luke Weaver in the eighth and Williams in the ninth. They followed through with that plan even with the score tied. Weaver also pitched a scoreless inning tonight after taking a loss Friday in his first appearance back from the injured list.