After the Yankees put Weaver on the injury list, Chizeum and Cruz returned to the Yankees

Luke Weaver has been an integral centerpiece of the Yankee Cattle Barn for the past year and a half, excelling as a finisher before the playoffs last September and back up earlier this season when Devin Williams struggled in his first month in a striped shirt.

The Yankees will have to piece together the late innings for much of June — the right-hand shooter was on the 15-day injured roster on Tuesday with a left hamstring strain. Neither Weaver nor head coach Aaron Boone provided a timeline for his return or injury rating.

ESPN reports that Weaver could be out for 4-6 weeks, meeting criteria for a second-degree hamstring strain. Boone revealed that Weaver wants to return to the team with a minimum 15-day deadline, but he believes that expectation is overly optimistic. Weaver may receive platelet-rich plasma injections to speed up recovery.

"It was completely unexpected," Weaver said, "and I kept reflecting on the causes, the warning signs, and the room for improvement." But as it stands, I need to make sure I'm fully recovered before I get back into the game. "

Weaver's entry into the injured roster comes as the Yankees make a series of roster changes ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Guardians: infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is activated from the 10-day injury list and right-hand backup Fernando Cruz returns from the 15-day injury list.

Outfielder Jasson Domínguez also had good news that his left thumb contusion from second base in Los Angeles on Sunday continued to improve. "The injury is getting better day by day," Boone confirmed.

Weaver had a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings this season and 8 successful rescues. He suffered what he called an "alarming" injury during a warm-up at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday night; Tim Hill eventually took over to complete a 7-3 win for the Yankees.

"Back last year, he's been one of the best back-ups in baseball, and at the beginning of the season he was the same," Boone said, "and it's a clear blow, but I'm confident the team can handle it." "

With Weaver sidelined, Boone made it clear that most of the rescue opportunities would go to Williams, the two-time National League backup pitcher who played 25 games for the Yankees this season with a 6.23 ERA and made five of six rescues.

"He's in his prime at the moment," Weaver said of Williams, "and no matter how the outside world judges, I've always believed that we have an elite pitcher." At its peak, the hitter had little to do. "

As a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled right-hand pitcher Yerry De los Santos from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Chisholm returned for the first time since suffering a right oblique muscle strain on April 29. It has a batting average of .181 and an attack index of .714 for the Yankees in 30 games. He was the starting second baseman before the injury and will return to the third base zone.

"He's a dynamic player who can play both offensively and defensively," Boone emphasized, "to stretch the line and win in a variety of ways. The desire to return is strong and poised to return. "

Cruz made his first appearance on the bench since May 17 and returned from inflammation in his right shoulder. With a 2.66 ERA in 21 games this season, he is one of New York's most reliable back-ups. "It's back like a shot in the arm," Boone admits.

Other transfers include: infielder Jorbit Vivas drops 3As and right pitcher Carlos Carrasco is designated for transfer.

In addition, the Yankees moved right pitcher J.T. Brubaker's rehabilitation assignment from 2A Somerset to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Right pitcher Jake Cousins started the rehabilitation mission in the upper 1A Hudson Valley.