Yankees adjust closer role with Clay Holmes’ struggles

“Just try and put these guys in the best position to be successful,” Boone said. “How that shakes out may vary a little bit every night, but in the short term, that’s the way we’ll go.”

Holmes saw his ERA balloon to a season-high 3.27 after the loss.

“At this point in the season, where the race is and playoffs, it’s about winning,” Holmes told the New York Post. “I think everybody’s on that same page. Whatever it takes for us to go out and win. Roles and definitions at this point, they are what they are.”

“[We] want to support Clay through this,” Boone said. “I feel like he’s throwing the ball really well in a lot of ways. Last night was different than what he’s experienced in a lot of the outings this year where it hasn’t gone his way. Last night he was certainly a little off and they got to him. But the reality is, he’s really not that far off from being the dominant guy that we know he can be. In the short term, [we can] certainly be a little creative down there.”

Boone added that he “absolutely” believes there is enough time left for Holmes to turn it around, despite the season entering its stretch run. For now, though, the Yankees plan on going with a closer-by-committee approach based on matchups in potential save situations.

Tommy Kahnle has seven career saves and Jake Cousins picked up his first career save last month. Luke Weaver does not have a save in his career, but he could be another option.

“[I] trust a lot of guys,” Boone said. “Just how it matches up is how we’ll go. … That’s how we’ll go into it every night.”