David Phelps (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will be on the mound for his first start of the season against Jared Weaver (2-2, 4.40 ERA). Phelps gets the ball for the first time in nearly two weeks for his 10th appearance but first start. He threw a simulated game Wednesday because of his scheduled start being postponed due to rain. “He hasn’t seen hitters in a while,” Joe Girardi said, “which is always somewhat of a concern, how he goes out there in that first inning and how sharp he is.” Phelps made his only career start against the Angels last season, a loss, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim where he allowed four runs in six innings, throwing 102 pitches.
Weaver had a rough start to the season, but things have improved over his last three outings. He has posted a 2.08 ERA in 17 1/3 innings giving up two runs or less each time out. He gets to honors of being the first pitcher to face Derek Jeter in his first last series on the west coast. Weaver first met Jeter 12 years ago at age 19 when he was visiting his brother Jeff who was pitching for the Tigers against the Yanks. “Obviously he’s one of the greatest hitters of all time, a no doubt Hall of Famer, the owner of many championships,” said Weaver. “He’s spent 20 years in New York and I’ve never heard a bad thing about him. He’s not only a great ballplayer, he’s a very special person.” The Captain enters his final series in Anaheim with a .331 lifetime average against the Halos, scoring 109 runs and driving in 85 in 164 career games.
Brendan Ryan played in his third rehab game with Double-A Trenton on Sunday, seventh game overall. Girardi wouldn’t give a specific date for him to rejoin the team, but he could be back during the series. “I don’t think he needs much more time,” Girardi said. Ryan went 8-21 (.381) with four runs, two RBIs and five walks with the Class A affiliate.
Notes on the game
Jeter has just six hits in 31 at bats against Weaver (.194)
The Yankees took two of three from the Angels April 25-27 in the Bronx.
Alfredo Aceves made his first appearance of 2014 in Sunday’s 5-1 loss. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings after CC exited in the fourth, giving the over worked bullpen some much deserved rest.
Since arriving in the AL in 2012, Albert Pujols is hitting .365 (23-63) with three doubles, three homers, eight runs and nine RBIs in 15 games against the Yankees.
First pitch at 10:05 PM on Yes
