How this Yankees pitcher found peace after a rough 2023

Published: September 13, 2024

How this Yankees pitcher found peace after a tough 2023: ‘I pray fervently’

By Movieguide® Contributor

New York Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver has helped lead his team to the top of the American League.

Weaver came into the MLB as a starting pitcher, but since the start of the 2024 season he has become a reliever, which has proven to be good for him and the Yankees.

One reason he was able to make this transition is his faith in Jesus, especially after a difficult 2023 season.

According to Sports Spectrum, “Weaver's 2023 season began with the Cincinnati Reds, but after struggling through 21 starts, he was designated for assignment and released in August. He started with the Seattle Mariners, but posted an ERA over 6.00 in five appearances before being claimed off waivers by the Yankees in September.

“After finishing the season with three appearances in the pinstripes, Weaver again became a free agent,” the outlet continued. “However, both sides saw Weaver as a fit in New York, and he signed a new one-year deal with the team in January.”

In an episode of the Sports Spectrum Podcast, Weaver explained how his faith helped him through this season.

“I think it's hard to live in an environment where people think you can do it, but you keep falling short,” he said. “And deep down you know you can do it, but you keep failing.”

“…It's just been a struggle this year,” he added. “It's been an awkwardness because I've been thinking, 'I'm close to feeling healthy and executing things physically on the mound that I'm close to accomplishing and making a full start.' And there was always a pitch, there was always a moment that negatively affected me on the field, mentally, physically and just the game. It became a cycle.”

But as hard as this storm was for Weaver, he turned to the Lord and came through it even stronger than before.

“I'm in the middle of my battle and praying hard,” Weaver said. “I'm in 2 Corinthians 12:10 and I'm talking about Paul and this thorn in his side, and he's fighting against making it about himself. And he's just saying, 'All right, you put this thorn here for a reason and you're letting me experience your power.'”

“This year has been an incredible year for me on the baseball field,” Weaver added.[God has] many prayers in this regard have been answered… I am grateful for that.”

For more inspiring sports stories, visit Sports spectrum.

He continues to help his team succeed.

“Luke Weaver and Jake Cousins ​​​​accomplished most of the outs in a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Royals in 11 innings in the Bronx on Wednesday night,” the New York Post reported yesterday.

Movieguide® previously reported on Weaver’s faith:

During the 2023 season, Weaver faced a series of difficult trials that made him doubt his future in the MLB. After starting the 2023 season with Cincinnati, Weaver was quickly released to move to Seattle. However, during his first game, he was hit directly in the elbow by a line drive, leaving his future uncertain.

Despite a miserable season that ended after just eight games, Weaver was signed by the Yankees, where he found new life. In the midst of these trials, the athlete has placed his identity in God, which allows him to remain focused and confident even during a bad period.

“That was my prayer to God, like, 'Hey, just give me the strength to be the same guy again after a bad performance,'” Weaver said on the “Sports Spectrum” podcast. “And I think he showed me a lot.”