TORONTO — Luke Weaver did his best to keep things vague Saturday, yet the Yankees’ reliever exposed a lot after failing to record an out for the second time in as many appearances this postseason.
Revealing things that he’d rather keep close to the chest has been part of the reliever’s problem, as Weaver and pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged that the righty had a pitch-tipping issue. While Weaver never used that phrase himself after giving up three earned runs, a leadoff walk and two hits in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 10-1 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the ALDS, he spoke hypothetically about “giving things away” and “doing things out of the ordinary that people are picking up on.”
“The results haven’t been good,” Weaver said before volunteering that “there’s been a lot of internal factors. I don’t want to get too crazy into it, but there’s been adjustments I’ve had to make based off of things that people are seeing, and it just hasn’t really lined up. It’s been pretty late in the adjustment period, and it’s just not lining up out there. I don’t really feel like myself. I don’t feel like my mind is completely clear to go out there and attack.
“There’s some factors that are building up, and I’m just not executing at the clip I want to.”
Blake acknowledged that the Yankees talked to Weaver about tipping. He said it’s “hard to say” when it was noticed, as it’s an “ongoing process.” However, the Yankees intervened within the last month.
“This time of year, we’re pretty on top of all of our guys and double and triple-checking things,” Blake said. “When things are brought to attention that we feel are pressing, we gotta intervene. This time of year, obviously, you’re trying to be careful about moving guys around and changing things up, but that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Weaver, a dominant relief weapon last year and early this season, allowed 10 earned runs over 3.2 innings and six games at the start of September, but he finished the regular season with 5.2 scoreless frames before becoming the second pitcher in playoff history to face three-plus batters and not record an out in each of his first two appearances of a postseason.
Rick Honeycutt became the first in 1989, per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
Weaver, who hasn’t had to worry about tipping in the past, said that he feels “physically strong” and “mentally strong overall,” but his confidence has clearly taken a hit alongside his performance.
As Weaver spoke in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre, the impending free agent also hinted at some information overload from the organization that revived his career.
“It’s about trying to make adjustments, and they’re just happening pretty late, and it’s become a lot,” the former failed starter said. “And so ultimately, I’m at a point where I’m just full-send and none of that’s going to matter anymore. So I’m going to be what I think is best for me, and I’m going to go out there and attack the way I need to.”
Weaver couldn’t say for sure if the Blue Jays picked up on his tips Saturday, but he said it’s “doubtful.” Instead, he attributed the day’s performance on the adjustments he’s made and where his head is at.
Asked if he was made aware of his tipping by someone inside the Yankees’ organization, Weaver declined to answer directly before stating, “There’s things that you’re seeing, there’s adjustments being made, there’s things that I can feel in what I’m doing that could be giving things. And so ultimately, I just gotta be tidy, clean and go out there and give myself the best chance.
“But ultimately, too, you gotta keep your brain clean and clear, and you gotta be able to execute at a clip that — the moment’s already big, and you don’t need more things stacking up on your plate.”
Blake, who spoke to reporters after Weaver did, said it’s “tricky” trying to decide when to let things go and when to step in. That’s especially true for high-leverage relievers like Weaver, as he wants them focused on executing as much as possible in-game.
Weaver made it clear that he has not been able to do that.
“I think that’s really the issue now,” Blake said when asked if Weaver’s mentality is his biggest problem at this point. “That’s the line you’re trying to avoid, basically putting too much on their plate and just letting them go out and attack the hitters.”
With all that said, Blake, Aaron Boone — who questionably turned to Weaver in what was a 2-1 game despite what he’s dealing with — and other Yankees remain confident in the right-hander.
“We’ve just got to get him locked in with his delivery,” Boone said, noting Weaver’s stuff isn’t what is hurting him.
“He’s gonna have a lot of big moments for us in this postseason,” Aaron Judge added. “I know it’s still early. Things haven’t gone his way, but everybody in this room has confidence in him to go out there and do his job. He’s been a special piece of this team since he came over here.”
Weaver, meanwhile, said that he believes he can “absolutely” get back to his best self this postseason. He feels “close” and “competitive” on the mound, even as his outings suggest otherwise. While he said “baseball seems to be overwhelming a bit” when results aren’t going his way, he noted that he is not giving up home runs or hard contact.
“I’m not going to allow two outings to dictate my time here,” Weaver said. “You can certainly say what you like, but ultimately, I feel confident in our team. I feel confident in myself. It’s not like I’m throwing 93. I’m throwing 97. It’s coming out really good. I’ll make the adjustments. I’ll do it. I’ll leave everything out on the field. It won’t be a matter of trying. It won’t be a matter of allowing myself to roll over. I’ll compete with anybody in this entire world at the end of the day.
“I’ll die trying.”