NEW YORK — The New York Mets have added another high-leverage arm to their bullpen, agreeing to a two-year, $22 million contract with right-hander Luke Weaver, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical and has not yet been officially announced by the club.
Weaver, a familiar face to New York baseball fans after his stint with the Yankees, joins the Mets after establishing himself as one of the top relief pitchers on the free-agent market this offseason.
Luke Weaver’s Transition to Relief Role Pays Off
Over the past two seasons, Weaver has successfully reinvented himself as a late-inning reliever after spending much of his career as a starting pitcher. His move to the bullpen in 2024 sparked a breakout season with the Yankees, where he made 62 relief appearances, posting a 2.89 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 84 innings.
Weaver eventually took over closing duties late in the season and remained in that role during New York’s postseason run to the American League pennant.
Weaver’s 2025 Performance and Injury Setback
During the 2025 season, Weaver primarily served as a setup man. Although a left hamstring injury sent him to the injured list in June, he still recorded career highs in appearances (64) while finishing with a 3.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.
Weaver struggled in the postseason amid concerns about tipping pitches, but his overall body of work remained strong enough to attract significant free-agent interest.
Career Background and Starting Pitcher History
The 32-year-old has pitched 10 Major League seasons, seven of them primarily as a starter. Weaver began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks from 2016–21 and opened the 2023 season as a starter with the Reds and Yankees, with a brief bullpen stint for the Mariners.
While Weaver has expressed openness to returning to a starting role in the future, his recent success has clearly come as a full-time reliever. In 106 career starts, he owns a 25–42 record with a 5.05 ERA, though he struck out more than a batter per inning (521 strikeouts in 520 innings).
Luke Weaver Career Stats and Teams
A first-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Weaver has appeared in 270 career games for six teams — the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Royals, Reds, Mariners, and Yankees. He carries a 4.74 career ERA with 746 strikeouts in 723 innings (9.3 K/9).
Mets Bullpen Outlook After Luke Weaver Signing
With Weaver joining Devin Williams, the Mets now feature a strong right-handed relief tandem. Left-handers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley are also returning, while the rest of the bullpen remains unsettled following the departure of longtime closer Edwin Díaz.