The success of the New York Yankees' bullpen leaves Aaron Boone with some difficult decisions to make. Closer Aroldis Chapman has been sidelined on the 15-day IL while dealing with an Achilles injury, but after throwing a successful bullpen over the weekend, the 34-year-old is nearing a return to the Yankees' bullpen. With the hard-throwing lefty on his way back, Boone revealed what's in store for Clay Holmes, who has served as an extremely reliable closer in Chapman's stead.
Aaron Boone said that when Aroldis Chapman returns from the injured list, Clay Holmes will do “a little bit of everything.” #Yankees
— Bronx Bombers News (@NewsBronx) June 15, 2022
According to Boone, Holmes won't retain the closer role, but will be somewhat of a swiss-army knife out of the bullpen in the Bronx. While Chapman seems set to remain as the team's closer, fans should expect to see Holmes appearing in high leverage appearances, and this could eventually trickle into a closer-by-committee type of situation in the Bronx.
Chapman's last few outings for the Yankees were nothing short of abysmal. In his previous five outings, the left-hander lasted just 3.1 innings and surrendered six earned runs before hitting the IL. He'll need to show some significant improvements on the mound if he wants to cement his role at the Yankees' go-to option in the ninth inning.
Meanwhile, Holmes has been virtually unhittable. Throughout the year, the 29-year-old righty has featured in 28 games, maintaining a stellar 0.30 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. He's surrendered just one earned run the entire season, serving as the most reliable reliever in the Yankees' bullpen.
Despite Holmes clearly having been the better pitcher throughout the year, Boone refused to commit one way or another when it comes to the closer role, as Chapman's return from the IL looms.
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