When manager Aaron Boone called Luke Weaver’s injury “definitely a blow,” he quickly added it was one the team could “handle and withstand.” This is the confident front every manager presents. But under the surface, a harsh reality is sinking in for the New York Yankees. And the loss of their proven closer has only added to an increasing chorus of criticism. He also reveals the pitching staff’s structural fragility underneath. This was about more than another injury, about more than another source of pressure crushing in on a team with championship dreams.

That pressure cooker recently boiled over against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Bombers got drilled in an 18-2 blowout loss on May 31. Pitcher Will Warren only went 1.1 innings and was charged with seven earned runs. Then came the real blow. While warming up on June 1, closer Weaver felt his left hamstring strain. He landed on the 15-day IL on June 3, which probably means he’ll miss about a month and a half. Losing his magnificent 1.05 ERA and his 8 saves leaves a gaping ninth-inning void.

This on-field collapse gave credence to outside criticism. On a recent New York Post Sports podcast, insider Jon Heyman shared his observations from Los Angeles. “I do feel like the Yankees are going to need help in that rotation and in that bullpen,” Heyman stated. He acknowledged their good statistics but revealed what some scouts are feeling. The bullpen is simply “not predictable.” This assessment suggests the official numbers are masking a more volatile truth that could threaten their season.

Heyman did not stop with generalities; he voiced specific doubts. “Devin Williams, I’m still not sold that he belongs as a Yankee,” he declared. He also noted that other key arms are not performing at their peak. “Tim Hill’s not quite as good as he was,” Heyman added. These pointed critiques highlight a lack of confidence in the very arms now tasked with handling high-leverage situations. His comments paint a picture of a bullpen that could be great one day and a liability the next.

The example of Devin Williams is a perfect illustration of this label of being “unpredictable.” The closer’s 2025 started with a disastrous 11.25 ERA over his first 10 games. He was so bad that he temporarily lost the closer role. But Williams rebounded impressively since May 7, posting a 2.45 ERA in 12 appearances with 16 strikeouts. This pendulum shift from a liability to a dominant force, but Heyman is “still not sold.”

With Weaver gone, attention will only be more glaring for this wobbly foundation. To be sure, Tim Hill’s 2.89 ERA is more than acceptable, but Heyman’s hesitation reflects a deeper concern about consistency. Other arms, such as Fernando Cruz, threw a “lethal” fastball but struggled with control at times. For the Yankees, it is now a high-wire act without their most reliable safety net, with the most significant loss of ace Gerrit Cole, who is out for the entire 2025 season after Tommy John surgery. In addition to that, the team is also missing key starters like Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman for extended periods, along with relievers Jake Cousins and JT Brubaker, who are on the 60-day injured list.

Yankees’ pitching dilemma

These are problems that force the Yankees to look to the trade deadline for answers. They desperately need a starting pitcher who can be counted on to lead a playoff series. Former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is a high-risk, high-reward option. A more affordable option might be a reunion with Michael King. But a true ace over the long term, as someone like Seattle’s Luis Castillo would be, would carry a hefty price in prospects and payroll commitment, testing the team’s limits.

They need help in the bullpen, too. A familiar face like Aroldis Chapman is having a great season and could be a rental fix. Pete Fairbanks of Tampa Bay is an elite closer but has an injury history. The club could also go for a controllable, long-term option for the middle innings, such as Colorado’s Jake Bird. Each option has a distinct combination of cost, risk, and reward.

Paradoxically, the Yankees’ overall pitching performance in 2025, with a 3.67 ERA, is strong statistically, even stronger than it was in 2024. They’re tops in the league in opponent batting average (.220). But the “discomfort” is there. This team is winning despite the visible cracks in its foundation. The next several weeks will reveal if management can patch those cracks.