Holmes picked up the save in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Reds, working around two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning.
The Reds loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth, but the right-hander coaxed a groundout from Will Benson to grab his fifth save -- his first since April 12. Holmes hasn't allowed a run in his last nine outings (9.1 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.26 with a 1.45 WHIP and 25:8. K:BB through 19.1 innings this season. Holmes has certainly worked his way back into the ninth-inning picture with his recent performances. However, he'll likely continue splitting closing duties with Wandy Peralta and Michael King.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Nabs win Saturday
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Holmes (2-2) earned the win over the Reds on Saturday, walking one batter and striking out one in a scoreless inning.
Holmes handled the bottom of the ninth for New York with the score tied 3-3 and held Cincinnati at bay to send the game to an extra frame. The right-hander has now pitched in a non-save situation in each of his past nine outings, compiling a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings while notching two wins and three holds. While those are excellent numbers, Holmes' fantasy value in formats that don't count holds will be minimal unless he's able to work his way up to closing games again.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Deployed in eighth inning again
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Holmes (1-2) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Friday, allowing one hit and no runs over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one batter.
The Yankees carried a two-run lead into the eighth frame, but Michael King served up a three-run homer to Josh Lowe to cough up the advantage. With one out and one on, Holmes was summoned to try to prevent additional damage, and he was able to do so despite giving up a single to the first batter he faced. New York then took the lead back on a two-run shot by Anthony Rizzo in the bottom of the frame, lining Holmes up for his first victory of the campaign. Meanwhile, Wandy Peralta closed things out with a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the season. This was the fifth straight outing for Holmes in which he was used in a non-save situation, though he continues to see mostly high-leverage work and has allowed just one run while posting a 6:1 K:BB over four innings during that span. He may still be the most likely option for save chances in what has become an unsettled New York bullpen, but with his last save coming April 12 and four different Yankees relievers nabbing at least one save in the interim, it's clear that Holmes is more of a committee member than a full-time closer.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Gets eighth inning Saturday
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Holmes earned a hold against Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing one hit in an inning of work.
After New York rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, manager Aaron Boone turned to Holmes to face the heart of the Rays' order in the bottom of the frame. He gave up a leadoff single that was quickly erased on a double play and needed just seven pitches overall to get through the scoreless inning. However, rather than being kept in the game to go for a multi-inning save, Holmes was relieved by Ian Hamilton, who closed things out for his first career save. There was no changing of the guard here -- if anything, it was a testament to Boone's faith in Holmes that he brought him in to face the toughest part of Tampa's lineup -- but the outing was a reminder that Holmes won't always work the ninth inning. He had been struggling of late, so a positive spin is that the effective performance against MLB's top team could help the closer regain any diminished confidence.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Struggles again Wednesday
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Holmes allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning against Cleveland on Wednesday.
Two days after Holmes was given a verbal vote of confidence from manager Aaron Boone, the right-hander was called upon to preserve a 2-2 tie with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the ninth. He couldn't come through, allowing a Myles Straw double and an Oscar Gonzalez single that pushed the go-ahead run across the plate for the Guardians. Holmes did manage to record the final out of the frame, and he was bailed out of a loss when the Yankees tied the score in the bottom of the ninth. Neither knock Holmes allowed was hit hard, but this was still a discouraging outing for the closer, who has blown two saves and taken two losses while allowing five runs (three earned) across 4.1 frames over his past six appearances.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Receives vote of confidence
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave Holmes a vote of confidence Monday, saying the closer is "in a good spot" and can "get through this" in reference to his recent struggles, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Holmes suffered his second blown save Monday versus the Guardians and now has a 3.72 ERA on the season. It sounds like he will still be Boone's primary option to close for the time being, though. Even with this vote of confidence for Holmes, Michael King makes for a good roster stash.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Blows save in loss
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Holmes (0-2) blew the save and took the loss during Monday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Guardians, allowing two runs on two hits and zero walks while failing to record an out.
Domingo German took a shutout into the ninth inning, but after a one-out single, he was pulled after just 88 pitches. Holmes was called on to replace the starter, but he allowed the first batter to reach on a fielding error and surrendered back-to-back singles to tie the game at 2-2. After securing his first four save opportunities this season, he's blown back-to-back chances, so the Yankees might start looking elsewhere for potential closing options, with Michael King being the most likely candidate.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Comes in early, blows save
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Holmes (0-1) came in for the eighth inning Friday with the top of the lineup due up for the Twins and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk with zero strikeouts. He took the loss and blown save.
Michael King was unavailable, so the Yankees called on their closer with Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa due up in the eighth inning and a 3-2 lead to protect. Holmes said after the game that he knew he might be called upon earlier than usual Friday and took responsibility for the blown lead. He should still have a good hold on the closer role, especially with Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) and Lou Trivino (elbow) still on the shelf.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Picks up fourth save
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Holmes collected his fourth save of the season Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing zero hits and two walks over one scoreless inning with a strikeout.
After getting hit around in his first appearance of the season against the Giants on April 1, Holmes has now responded by throwing five consecutive shutout innings while earning a save in each of his last four appearances. It's a promising return to form for the 30-year-old closer, who boasts a 2.34 ERA since joining the Yankees in 2021.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Nails down second save
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Holmes walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Orioles.
He also uncorked a wild pitch and threw only seven of 14 pitches for strikes, but Holmes was able to get the job done. The right-hander is 2-for-2 in save chances to begin the season, and his 6:1 K:BB through 3.2 innings is a strong sign he's ready to build on last year's breakout campaign.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Earns first save
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Holmes earned a save against the Phillies on Wednesday, striking out three batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Holmes continues to improve from his rough season debut. The 30-year-old earned his first save of the season and threw nine of his 16 pitches for strikes while punching out all three batters he faced. Holmes has provided impressive performances in consecutive outings and will continue to serve as the go-to option in the Yankees' bullpen for save situations.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Struggles in first outing of 2023
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Holmes tossed two-thirds of an inning against San Francisco on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits. He did not walk or strike out any batters.
Holmes is expected to get most of the save opportunities for the Yankees this season, but his first appearance of the campaign came with New York trailing by a run in the top of the ninth inning. The right-hander was unable to maintain the narrow deficit, as he allowed two runs to cross the plate while registering just two outs. It's unlikely that the poor debut will push Holmes out of the primary closer role, but it's also worth noting that he hadn't saved any games in four seasons prior to last year and struggled in the second half of last season, so he may not have a long leash if he struggles early in the campaign.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Expected to close most games
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated over the weekend that Holmes may sometimes be used outside of save situations during the regular season, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports. "There are going to be days where if it's [George] Springer, [Bo] Bichette and Vladdy [Vladimir Guerrero Jr.] coming up in the eighth inning in a big spot, that might be Clay," Boone explained.
Boone suggested that he plans to deploy Holmes in the highest leverage situations, which could come earlier than the ninth inning at times and may not always qualify the right-handed hurler for a save. Still, the manager hinted that he would continue to see plenty of chances to close, stating, "I would expect [Holmes] to close a lot of games for us. Probably most games, and hopefully a lot of games. But I do see a number of guys getting saves." Holmes didn't earn any saves in his first four big-league seasons, but he racked up 20 last year after taking over the ninth-inning role in the first half of the campaign. The reliever's stock is boosted by playing for a team projected to be among the best in the league, but Boone's comments and Holmes' late-season fade last year may provide enough risk to keep him outside of the top 10 closers in fantasy drafts.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Expects to be on ALDS roster
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Holmes (shoulder) is scheduled to face a few batters Monday and expects to be named to the ALDS roster, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
Holmes suffered a right shoulder strain at the end of September and hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 26, but the reliever is confident his name will be on the roster for the upcoming ALDS against Cleveland, which begins Tuesday. Holmes noted that he was able to throw "free and easy" in his last bullpen session, and also that his velocity looked good, but he's unsure of his availability for Game 1, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. His status figures to depend on how he feels during Monday's session.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Won't be placed on injured list
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Holmes (shoulder) won't be placed on the injured list since he would then be out for the ALDS, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.
Holmes has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain and is five days into a planned 10-day shutdown from throwing. However, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that he hopes Holmes will be able to build back up in time to pitch in the ALDS, which begins Oct. 11.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Out with shoulder strain
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Holmes is out with a right shoulder strain and the Yankees hope to have him ready for the ALDS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
A recent MRI confirmed the strain and Holmes also had a cortisone shot. Candidates to get the ball in the Yankees' next save opportunity include Scott Effross, Lou Trivino and Aroldis Chapman. It's possible Holmes won't pitch again until 2023.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Nabs win Thursday
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Holmes (7-4) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over two innings.
Though it wasn't a save situation, Holmes' outing Thursday was a positive step after he allowed a run in four of his previous five appearances. The right-hander preserved a 4-4 tie by keeping Boston off the scoreboard in the ninth inning and worked around the automatic runner in the 10th to again prevent a run. He was credited with the win after the Yankees walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Holmes isn't guaranteed to get all of New York's save chances moving forward with manager Aaron Boone recently indicating he may shift to a committee approach, though Holmes figures to still be in the mix in that scenario.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Gives up game-winning run
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Holmes (6-4) gave up one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out one over 0.2 innings to take the loss in a 7-6 defeat against the Brewers on Friday.
Holmes came into a tie game in the bottom of the ninth and promptly gave up a leadoff double to Hunter Renfroe. The baserunner would eventually come around to score and give the Brewers the walkoff victory on a bases-loaded single by the number nine hitter, Garrett Mitchell. Holmes converted his last three save opportunities coming into the game, but he struggled in this non-save situation. He has an ERA of 4.50 in seven September appearances.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Picks up 20th save
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Holmes picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-3 victory over the Red Sox. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.
Holmes surrendered a double to Abraham Almonte, who later scored on a groundout from Enrique Hernandez. In his last 11 appearances, the righty's 3.86 ERA over 11.2 innings has been higher than he's grown accustomed to this season. The 29-year-old could see a decrease in high-leverage opportunities with the expected return of lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman (leg) on Friday.
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Yankees' Clay Holmes: Earns extra-inning win
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Holmes (6-3) earned the win in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning victory over Boston. He allowed two runs (one earned) on no hits and no walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings.
Holmes entered the game with the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth and recorded a clean inning to send it to extras, but he ran into trouble in the 10th after the Yankees took a 7-4 lead. He was pulled after hitting a batter and then getting an out in the 10th in favor of Wandy Peralta for a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Peralta allowed a base hit and a wild pitch to score the ghost runner and McGuire to make it a 7-6 game. Peralta worked out of it, however, and it all earned Holmes his sixth win of the season. Holmes has been shaky of late, as he has allowed 11 runs (nine earned) in 12.1 innings dating back to July 31.
