PORT STREET LUCIE — Clay Holmes is about to be relieved of one of the heaviest jobs of his career, but the Yankees closer isn’t in the mood.
Holmes, who stayed healthy all last season and entered the offseason with a clean bill of health for a change of pace, was in good spirits after making his Grapefruit League debut with a shutout against the Mets on Tuesday.
“I felt like I came off last year. I was in a really good place physically,” Holmes said after the 5-4 loss at Clover Park. “I was able to build on that in the offseason. I feel as good as ever right now.”
Holmes, who had a 2.86 ERA and 24 saves in 63 innings last season, is having a walk year this year.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old reiterated that he’s more focused on helping the Yankees win the World Series than his contract situation, but the manager emphasized his importance to the team.
“We need him to be great for us to be what we hope for as a team,” Aaron Boone said. “That’s our expectation of him. He knows that. As we’ve seen over the last few years, he’s one of the truly dynamic relievers in the game, especially when he really hits his stride.” That’s what happens when you raise it.”
Holmes’ bullpen will be without two of its top arms from the past few seasons in Michael King and Wandy Peralta.
Top set men Tommy Kahnle and Jonathan Loaisiga are both back from injuries sustained last season, but while it’s unclear if Kahnle will be ready for Opening Day, Holmes will be the first Yankees reliever to step up to the plate. I am confident that we will be able to replicate our success. Last year, he had the lowest ERA in MLB at 3.34.
“If we continue to put our players in good positions and they continue to believe in their team, there’s no reason we can’t repeat what we did last year,” Holmes said.
Oswaldo Peraza returned to action on Tuesday, one week after suffering a scratch due to right shoulder stiffness.
The infielder, who started at second base against the Mets, said he felt some inflammation “with certain movements” before his return, but said it was nothing to worry about.
“It’s definitely gotten a lot better,” Peraza said through an interpreter. “It’s good to be back on the field. Look at how the game goes. Now just keep doing the maintenance, keep improving and make sure you’re in good shape when the season starts.”
Peraza went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, and although he suffered a scare when his changeup hit the brim of his helmet, he remained in the game.
The Yankees made further cuts after Tuesday’s game, reassigning OF Spencer Jones, INF Jeter Downs, INF Caleb Durbin, and OF Brandon Lockridge to minor league camp.
