Pirates Reliever Luke Weaver Battles Severe Poison Ivy

When the Mets sent right‑hander Luke Weaver to Pittsburgh at the July trade deadline, nobody expected the new Pirate to have to fight anything more than hitters. Instead, the former Met found himself grappling with a “severe” case of poison ivy that’s stuck around for almost a month.

Weaver opened up to DK Pittsburgh Sports, saying the trouble began in August, just days after he arrived in Miami for a series. "I brushed up against a bush and my whole lower body went into hives," he explained. "I haven’t slept properly in about a month – I keep waking up, itching, trying to find relief. It’s been a personal battle, day in and day out."

On the mound, the numbers tell a mixed story. In 10 appearances for the Pirates, Weaver has posted a 5.79 ERA, a stark contrast to the sparkling 1.84 ERA he enjoyed over 44 innings with the Mets. The trade also cost Pittsburgh their No. 9 prospect, infielder Sammy Stafura, adding another layer to the conversation.

Pirates manager Don Kelly acknowledged the unusual hurdle. "He got a really bad case of it, and we’ve been working with our medical staff to get him back to normal," Kelly told MLB.com. "It’s been tough to kick, but he’s doing a lot better now." The team’s trainers have been treating the rash aggressively, but skin reactions can be stubborn, especially when they affect sleep.

Weaver remains hopeful. "I’m still trying to find ways every single day to manage it," he said, adding that he’s focused on getting back to the level he showed in New York. If the irritation eases, the Pirates will have a healthier arm to rely on as they chase a postseason spot.