Aaron Boone: Yankees Will Get ‘Creative’ With Closer Role Amid Clay Holmes Struggles | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes blew his 11th save of the season Tuesday after giving up a walkoff grand slam to Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford, capping a 7-4 road defeat.

Now comes word from manager Aaron Boone that the Yankees, who entered Wednesday a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles for first in the American League East, will get “creative” with the closer role.

Jack Curry of YES Network relayed the remarks alongside his own commentary.

Holmes’ 11 blown saves lead MLB. The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jalen Beeks (nine blown saves) is the only other player with more than seven on the year.

On June 9, Holmes was enjoying a dominant start to the year, posting a 1.23 ERA through two-plus months to go along with 19 saves.

It’s been a disaster ever since, with Holmes delivering a 5.61 ERA and seven blown saves (two losses).

There have been some ugly outings along the way.

On July 5, Holmes blew his fifth save of the year when he gave up a two-out, two-strike, two-run homer to Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida to tie a game at three in the top of the ninth. The Red Sox ended up winning, 5-3. That also capped a seven-game stretch where Holmes gave up eight earned runs.

On July 14, Holmes was given a 5-3 lead against the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the ninth. The O’s loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Ryan Mountcastle then grounded to short, but Anthony Volpe couldn’t make the play and a run scored. Holmes still had a chance to get out of it, but a Cedric Mullins two-run double gave Baltimore a 6-5 win.

And now came the Langford grand slam.

Holmes, a two-time All-Star, has been great for the Yanks in the past since coming over from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. In 210 games, he has a 2.73 ERA and 73 saves.

But for whatever reason, it’s been a three-month struggle. And with the division race reaching a fever pitch, the Yanks have made a decision to roll with a de-facto closer-by-committee.

Relievers who could fill the closer role on any given night include Jake Cousins, Luke Weaver, Michael Tonkin, Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill, along with the aforementioned Holmes.