After the Dodgers series: Yankees things to watch this week and beyond

Yahoo

3 days ago

NEW YORK – Before they arrived back at Dodger Stadium, the Yankees had already revealed themselves as serious World Series contenders.
So, this past weekend's three-game set against the defending world champion Dodgers wasn't a measuring stick for the 2025 Yanks, or a test of their title worthiness.
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Yankees manager Aaron Bone likened this 2024 World Series rematch to any season-opening series, when the usual reaction is overreaction.
But after dropping two straight games – punctuated by Saturday's 18-2 loss – the Yanks had to avoid being swept, or else endure months more discussion about the Dodgers' dominance.
'If we play them again, it'll be in the World Series,'' Boone said before the Yankees left L.A. on Sunday with a 7-3 victory. 'So, hopefully, we have that opportunity again.''
Other than Aaron Judge's aim at a repeat unanimous AL MVP award, here's a few things we learned from the Dodgers series and what's ahead this week.
Ryan Yarbrough: More than advertised
May 26, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Luis Gil (lat strain) is tracking toward a July return to the rotation, at a time when the Yankees will be actively involved in the trade market for starters.
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But right now, veteran lefty Ryan Yarbrough is performing more like a rotation staple than a placeholder.
'He's fun to watch…he's different than anything you face,'' Boone said of Yarbrough, now with a 2.08 ERA in five starts after Sunday's victory at Dodger Stadium.
As DJ LeMahieu said Sunday, 'he's not going to light up the radar gun, but all his pitches feel like they get on you'' quickly.
That array of sinkers, cutters, sweepers and changeups, 'and that funky angle from a tall guy…it feels like it's hard to get a read on (his pitches),'' said Boone, with an unexpected key contributor in his rotation.
Luke Weaver, Jasson Dominguez: Medical updates
Jasson Dominguez (contusion, left thumb) feels he'll be fine after coming out of Sunday's game, following a hard slide that left him unable to comfortably grip a bat.
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But there's deeper concern for closer Luke Weaver, who felt hamstring tightness after warming up for Sunday's ninth inning (he did not pitch in the game).
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Weaver will be placed on the IL and could miss between four-to-six weeks.
Immediately, the Yanks could recall Yerry de los Santos, and either go to a closer-by-committee or return Devin Williams to the ninth inning.
Since being bumped out of the closer spot in late April, Williams has excelled in a primary setup role. He struggled again when pressed into a save situation last Tuesday, giving up two runs before finishing a 3-2 win at Anaheim.
DJ LeMahieu: Staying at second base
New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) follows through on a solo home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Yankee Stadium.
LeMahieu was in a 3-for-29 (.103) slide with zero extra-base hits until Sunday's 4-for-5 with a double – his first four-hit game since 2021.
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On the injured list since late April, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is due to be activated this week, and he's ticketed to play third base, with LeMahieu remaining at second base.
That's the natural position for both players, but LeMahieu – delayed by a left calf strain – has been moving well since making his season debut on May 13.
Plus, with Chisholm, '(I) feel like I can always move him back'' to second base,'' said Boone, who is 'really excited to be getting back a dynamic player on both sides of the ball.''
Though Chisholm 'had some growing pains'' in learning to play third base, a new position for him, at the big-league level last summer, Boone 'thought he did a good job'' overall due to his arm strength and athleticism.
Carlos Rodon: Two starts this homestand
May 27, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In choosing to start Yarbrough on Sunday, Carlos Rodon was given two extra days of rest instead of going on his normal day.
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Rodon's last effort was his latest in a series of sharp outings, going seven shutout innings (105 pitches) with 10 strikeouts and zero walks at Anaheim.
Over his last eight starts, the lefty is 6-0 with a 1.27 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. And he's given up just three home runs while averaging less than two walks per start.
Now, Rodon is scheduled to open the homestand Tuesday against Cleveland and close it out on regular rest Sunday night against Boston, a game time switched to accommodate a national TV audience.
Fernando Cruz: Set to return
Boone's bullpen will get a boost this week, with Cruz's anticipated activation.
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Cruz missed a couple of weeks due to shoulder inflammation, but he's throwing without any discomfort – he pitched a live BP on Saturday at Dodger Stadium – and feels ready to go.
In the short term, that likely ends veteran Carlos Carrasco's emergency stay as a long reliever due to Saturday's blowout loss.
And this week, we should get a better idea about when Giancarlo Stanton might begin a brief minor league rehab assignment.
Coming back from tendinitis in both elbows, Stanton has been taking live BP at Tampa, Fla., for the past week.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: After the Dodgers series: Yankees things to watch this week and beyond