Weaver Struggles in Ninth as Yankees Fall 11-1 to Tigers

The New York Yankees were forced to use reliever Luke Weaver to open the ninth inning and he struggled, allowing three runs while recording one out in an 11-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Manager Aaron Boone said he had not planned to bring Weaver into the game but was constrained by a late home run by Austin Wells in the bottom of the eighth. Wells' solo shot trimmed the Yankees' deficit from eight runs to seven, eliminating the option to start the ninth with a position player under MLB rules and forcing Boone to go to the bullpen.

"Obviously, I never want to bring Weave into a situation like that," Boone said. "But obviously, you get short and you kind of have to. I was going to go to Slater, and then Wells hits the homer to make it a seven-run game. You hate going to a guy in that situation, but if you go [Fernando] Cruz, then he’s probably down [Thursday], and Weave’s had the most rest between [Devin] Williams and [David] Bednar."

Under MLB rules, position players are permitted to pitch only in extra innings, when a team is trailing by at least eight runs at any point, or when a team is leading by at least 10 runs entering the ninth. With Wells' shot making the deficit seven, Boone determined Weaver was the available option. Weaver gave up three runs and recorded one out before Boone turned to Austin Slater, who recorded the final two outs of the ninth without allowing a run. Slater was in his second career major-league pitching appearance and was the only Yankees reliever not to give up a run.

The loss completed a lopsided game for New York, as Detroit scored 11 runs while the Yankees managed a single run. The blowout underscored the Yankees' bullpen depth challenges late in the season and the practical impact of the position-player pitching rule in close-but-not-quite situations.

Wednesday also brought a significant roster and personnel development for the Yankees. First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who spent three-and-a-half seasons with New York, announced his retirement after going unsigned this season. Rizzo, 36, had his option declined last offseason and will formally retire as a member of the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, according to team statements and Rizzo's announcement.

Boone praised Rizzo's career and presence in the clubhouse. "Obviously, a great career," Boone said. "All-Stars, Gold Gloves, Silver Slugger, world champion. A key figure for us here these last few years." He added praise for Rizzo's toughness and leadership, referencing the first baseman's play through injuries last season.

Rizzo's Yankees tenure was disrupted in part by post-concussion syndrome following a May 2023 collision. He visited Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, spoke with Boone before the game and was in the crowd as a new father earlier this week.

The Yankees also issued a fan advisory tied to enhanced security measures this month. Club officials urged fans to arrive early and use mass transportation for Thursday's game after announcing that former President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a game on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Yankee Stadium gates will open to ticketed fans at 4 p.m.

Veteran Paul Goldschmidt, who turned 38 on Wednesday, remained on the bench for the fourth straight game, the longest stretch he has been out of the lineup this season. The Yankees did not provide an immediate explanation for Goldschmidt's absence beyond routine lineup decisions.

Weaver's appearance highlighted constraints managers can face late in games with depleted bullpens and recent rule changes. Boone said workload and rest for other relievers were factors in his decisionmaking, noting Weaver had more rest relative to other arms in the pen. The Yankees will look to rebound in their next outing as they navigate roster decisions and bullpen usage down the stretch.