ANAHEIM, Calif. — Luke Weaver has earned himself a day off on Tuesday.
But before then, he worked overtime on Monday night to close out the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Angels.
Even in a non-save situation, Aaron Boone called on Weaver to pitch the ninth inning, which was his fifth time pitching in the past seven days — coming off a dicey, 21-pitch save on Sunday in Colorado when his pitches were affected by the altitude.
Weaver was back closer to sea level on Monday and gave up a walk and a single before slamming the door shut.
“I thought he was good,” Boone said. “I was a little in between, but going with him tonight, knowing you’re going to be down with him [Tuesday]. A little concerned if I go to [Ian Hamilton] or something there, and then I have to get Weave up too, I’m really short going into [Tuesday]. I just felt like with a four-run [lead], knowing I might have to get him up if somebody gets on base, I just felt like I had to go to Weave there.”
In relief of Ryan Yarbrough, Yerry De los Santos struck out three in 1 ¹/₃ innings before Mark Leiter Jr., who threw 21 pitches Sunday, got the last two outs of the eighth.
Devin Williams had thrown 28 pitches on Sunday and eventually warmed as Weaver flirted with trouble in the bottom of the ninth before he got out of it.
Luis Gil (lat strain) is expected to throw his first bullpen session on Friday since being shut down in spring training as he continues to respond well in his throwing program.
The best-case scenario is looking like a July return if Gil does not have any setbacks.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (oblique strain) had a light day Monday but is scheduled to go through a full workout Tuesday and then could get in rehab games later in the week, Boone said Monday.
If all goes well, that would put Chisholm in line to potentially join the Yankees next Tuesday when they return home to face the Guardians.
Giancarlo Stanton (tennis elbows) arrived on Monday in Tampa, where he will get live at-bats throughout the week as he continues his buildup.
“Kind of simulating game situations, so he’ll run out of the box and those kind of things,” Boone said. “Hopefully he’ll get a number of live at-bats and through the weekend.”
“And then we’ll see what we’re going to do next week, if it’s more of that or a rehab assignment. We’re not quite there yet but he’s getting close.”
Fernando Cruz (shoulder inflammation) threw off flat ground again Monday and is expected to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.
If he has no issues, he could face hitters by this weekend and return to the bullpen by next week.
