The New York Yankees currently hold the top American League Wild Card spot and are likely to host the Red Sox to begin the postseason. Generally, the good results from their rotation and one of the best lineups in the league have allowed them to overcome a struggling bullpen to reach this point. The bullpen ranks bottom ten in the league in ERA in 2025. Despite acquiring three relievers at the trade deadline, their bullpen ERA has risen since that point. While the Yankees have multiple big-name relievers in their bullpen, their struggles leave them in a precarious spot just weeks away from the playoffs.
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on deadline day, David Bednar has quickly become the most stable member of the Yankees bullpen. The veteran has assumed the closer role after converting seven of 10 opportunities so far in pinstripes and demonstrated a newfound ability to go more than three outs when asked. Bednar has posted a 2.41 ERA and has struck over 13 batters per nine innings on average. He serves as the single high-end reliever with a solidified role going into the playoffs.
Former closer Devin Williams has continued to be given chances despite an uneven season. Ten games in June with a sub-one ERA represent his only month of above average production. The former Brewer lost the closer role upon Bednar’s arrival. A look at the underlying stats shows that his 2.95 FIP is right around his career norm, and he is walking less batters than ever. He is also striking out less batters and allowing more hits than before and will need to reharness his “Airbender” changeup if the Yankees have any chance to compete in October.
Luke Weaver transformed from a journeyman starter into a multi-inning relief ace in 2024. The righty continued this performance over to the start of 2025, as he pitched to a 1.05 ERA in 24 games before being placed on the injured list in early June. Weaver returned less than a month later but has an abysmal 6.37 ERA and has walked over three batters per nine innings since his activation. A stellar August has been sandwiched between horrendous months in July and September. His latest outing against the Twins on Monday night, in which he gave up five earned runs in a third of an inning, marks the lowest point of his Yankees career thus far. Weaver represents the bridge between Bednar and Williams along with the rest of the Yankees’ lower leverage arms. If he can’t get back on track before the end of September, the bullpen will become much less intimidating.
Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are in similar situations as pitchers who primarily rely on one elite pitch and who have struggled as of late. Doval, acquired in a last-minute trade with the Giants, has disappointed in his initial Yankees stint. After rebounding from a poor 2024 campaign to start the year with a 3.09 ERA as San Francisco’s closer, Doval has done a complete 180 and regressed back to his 2024 form in the Bronx. Posting a 5.87 ERA over 18 games, Doval has allowed runs in seven appearances. His saving grace is that his slider is considered one of the best in MLB. If the right-handed pitcher can demonstrate any ability to command that pitch, he’ll be thrust into the high leverage mix come playoff time.
Cruz similarly possesses one of the best splitters in baseball. He also performed well to begin the season, but a pair of IL stints has seemingly contributed to him losing feel for the splitter. Since returning from a two-month layoff in late August, the offseason trade acquisition has an ERA of over seven. Still, his ability to strike batters out will keep him high on the bullpen pecking order.
Rounding out the short relief options, Tim Hill and Mark Leiter Jr. are best suited to serve as middle innings options. Hill is top-15 in the AL in games pitched but has not secured a late innings role despite solid results. The ground ball specialist is still a good option against lefties and is a lock for the playoff roster. Leiter Jr. Could be a surprise omission from the playoff roster after providing consistently poor results throughout the season.
Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn play similar swingman roles, but Yarbrough inspires far more confidence after his breakout to begin the season before going on the IL. Blackburn seems likely to be one of the first players off of the playoff roster. Yerry De Los Santos and Brent Headrick are solid options in Triple-A and have passed both trade deadline acquisition Jake Bird and former high leverage reliever Scott Effross on the depth chart.
The wild card in the bullpen picture is which pitcher will be left out of the playoff rotation. All-stars Max Fried and Carlos Rodon are locks to start games one and two, respectively. Though he’s made just 11 starts in his major league career thus far, Cam Schlittler seems likely to get the nod for the third spot. That leaves 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and rookie Will Warren. Gil missed much of the year with a lat strain and took some time to build up upon his return. The right-hander’s latest outing of six scoreless innings against the Red Sox shows he can still provide front line production. That may leave Warren as the odd man out, which may be a blessing in disguise.
Warren has been prone to blowups this season, allowing six or more runs on three occasions. The 26-year-old has also struggled to navigate the top of opposing lineups to begin games. Coming out of the bullpen would allow Warren to be deployed in lanes where he wouldn’t have to face a lineup’s top threats. The righty also struck out over a batter an inning, which could play up even more in short spurts. Having Warren as a relief option could allow the Yankees an intriguing option in bullpen consisting of question marks and what-ifs.