BIG NEWS: New York Yankees reveals closer plans……

New York Yankees reveals closer plans moving forward

The New York Yankees have determined what to do with their failing closer Clay Holmes.

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters at Globe Life Field on Wednesday that the organization intends to be “creative” with the closer job going forward. This means that Boone and the Yankees will rely on matchups for the final three outs rather than a fixed reliever, as Holmes has done thus far.

While Boone stated that Holmes may still be a part of this new plan, the club thought it was time to alter things up due to Holmes’ recent struggles and the “noise” that has ensued.

On Tuesday night, Holmes allowed a walk-off grand slam to the Texas Rangers, giving him his league-leading 11th blown save.
Holmes did not allow a run until May 20 of this season, and he pitched 20 consecutive shutout innings to start the 2024 campaign. However, since then, things have generally gone downhill.

As of June 9, the 31-year-old had a 1.23 ERA and 19 saves. Since this outing, Holmes has a 5.61 ERA and seven blown saves.

As a result, the Yankees have decided to go with a closer-by-committee for the time being. Beyond Holmes, the realistic alternatives in New York’s bullpen are Tommy Kahnle, Luke Weaver, Jake Cousins, and Tim Hill.

The Yankees will also likely send a starting pitcher to the bullpen, since Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil are set to return to the rotation this weekend in Chicago.

Although Nestor Cortes Jr. appears to be the odd man out, the Yankees will also need to move another starter to relief once the postseason begins.