PHILADELPHIA — The Yankees added two relief pitchers but no closer on Tuesday, meaning Clay Holmes will continue in the closer role.
“I’m happy for Clay Holmes. [and] “We’re happy with what we have right now,” GM Brian Cashman said before Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Phillies. “We’re happy with what we’ve added to what we have right now. I didn’t go into the market for a closer. I went into the market for the best talent.”
As a result, they acquired right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. from the Cubs and Eniel de los Santos from Pittsburgh.
Holmes hasn’t performed well much since mid-June, missing five of seven save opportunities in his past 14 appearances while allowing 14 runs (10 earned), 19 hits and four walks.
He blew a save in Tuesday’s win, and after the game, Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone spoke in support of Holmes.
Holmes then pitched a shutout ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday’s win, but it wasn’t without a scare.
He allowed a hard single to center field by Kyle Schwarber, followed by a fly ball to left field by Austin Hayes, then got Bryce Harper to ground out to turn in a game-ending double play.
“There was some tension with Hayes,” Boone said. “He was the one who [the park].”
“It means a lot to me to have my teammates supporting me,” Holmes said of Judge’s comments. “Obviously, I wish I could have more control over the situation and put in some good performances to help the team. You can’t control everything. I’m a ground ball pitcher, so sometimes things don’t go well.”
Hitters have had a fair amount of success against Holmes’ sinker this season, but it’s not been hit with any more force than in years past.
And Cashman echoed Boone, saying Holmes isn’t as bad as the numbers suggest.
“It was a lot more bad luck,” Cashman said. “I think Clay is an exceptional high-end relief pitcher and one of the better pitchers in baseball. I think he’s pitched better than his recent numbers would suggest.”
In acquiring Leiter and De Los Santos, Cashman said he wanted to give Boone “as many options as possible to navigate the late-game action.” [as possible]”I don’t have a problem with Clay.”
Boone and Cashman also said they would be fine with just one left-hander in the bullpen, Tim Hill.
Cashman said he believes Leiter, Tommy Kahnle and Luke Weaver can provide left-handed pitching after the release of flops Victor Gonzalez and Caleb Ferguson.
