New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is adopting a “creative” approach to the closer role following Clay Holmes’ latest meltdown, which marked his 11th blown save of the season. Once a reliable position, the closer spot is now under scrutiny, especially after Holmes’ recent performance in a game where he allowed a walk-off grand slam to Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford.
Boone acknowledged that Holmes is no longer the team’s undisputed closer and indicated that the Yankees will experiment with different options for the role in the short term, as reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry. While Boone didn’t explicitly state that Holmes has lost his job, he suggested that the team will use matchups to determine who will close games going forward.
Aaron Boone
In Tuesday’s game, Holmes entered with a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning but struggled with command, giving up a single, two walks, and then the decisive grand slam. Holmes leads MLB with 11 blown saves this season, and the Yankees have lost eight of those games. His current record stands at 2-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 57 appearances.
Boone’s strategy moving forward could involve using starting pitchers Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt in relief roles once they return from the IL. Boone mentioned that while nothing is set in stone, the possibility of using a starter with “swing and miss” capability as a closer could be explored. This shift is due to Holmes’ reliance on inducing ground balls with his sinker, which has proven less effective. A power pitcher who can generate more strikeouts might be a better fit for the closer role.
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