CLAY HOLMES NEWS

Collects eighth save Holmes allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Impact Holmes gave up his first hit in four outings in June, and he's up to three saves and a win this month. He's given up just one run over his last 17.1 innings. The right-hander is up to eight saves in 10 chances while adding three holds with a 2.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB through 27.1 innings this season. Holmes remains the Yankees' top high-leverage reliever, even if that ends up costing him some save chances.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches seventh save Holmes earned a save over the White Sox in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, allowing one walk in a scoreless inning.

Impact Holmes was tasked with preserving the Yankees' combined shutout and succeeded in doing so despite issuing a leadoff walk. The righty reliever has allowed just one run over 16.1 frames across his past 16 appearances, posting a 20:8 K:BB over that span. The strong stretch has helped him reclaim the primary closer role for New York -- he's earned three of the team's last four saves after going without any saves between April 12 and May 20.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fourth win Holmes (4-2) allowed a walk in a scoreless inning against the Dodgers on Sunday. He struck out two and earned a win.

Impact Holmes entered the game in the seventh inning and picked up the win when the Yankees took the lead in the eighth. He's seen just two save chances over his last 16 appearances, though he's compiled a terrific 1.15 ERA during that span. For the season, his ERA is down to 2.84 with a 32:12 K:BB and six saves through 25.1 innings.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs sixth save Holmes earned a save over the Dodgers on Saturday with a scoreless inning during which he allowed one walk.

Impact Holmes was tasked with protecting a three-run ninth-inning lead and did so successfully despite issuing a two-out walk. He picked up his first save since May 21, though he pitched well over four contests in the interim, allowing one run on one hit while posting a 5:2 K:BB across four innings. Manager Aaron Boone has mixed and matched closers this season -- seven different relievers have earned a save thus far -- but Holmes has each of the team's past two conversions and leads New York with six saves overall, so he's probably the safest bet for ninth-inning opportunities moving forward.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns fifth save 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.

Impact 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 performance. However, he'll likely continue splitting closing duties with Wandy Peralta and Michael King.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs win Saturday Holmes (2-2) earned the win over the Reds on Saturday, walking one batter and striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Impact 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.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Why Yankees legend Mariano Rivera believes Clay Holmes can re-emerge as a star The all-time saves leader, whose cutter is a pitch that some consider the best in baseball history, has a lot of respect for Holmes' sinker.

MAY 13, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Deployed in eighth inning again 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.

Impact 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.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets eighth inning Saturday Holmes earned a hold against Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing one hit in an inning of work.

Impact 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.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles again Wednesday Holmes allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Impact 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. Still, this was 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.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

The bullpen report: Will Smith and Carlos Estévez strengthen saves share, Clay Holmes struggles and more Will M. Smith and Carlos Estévez have tightened their grip on the traditional closer role, while Clay Holmes is struggling mightily.

MAY 4, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Receives vote of confidence Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave Holmes a vote of confidence Monday, saying the closer is "in a good spot" and can "get through this," Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports...

Impact 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.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save in loss Holmes (0-2) blew the save and took the loss during Monday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians, allowing two runs on two hits and zero walks while failing to record an out.

Impact Domingo German took a shutout into the ninth inning, but after a one-out single, he was pulled with 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.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees waste gem from Domingo Germán, Clay Holmes blows game in 9th Domingo Germán was two outs away from a shutout when Yankees manager Aaron Boone called to the bullpen, bringing Clay Holmes into the game.

MAY 2, 2023 • NJ.COM

Caught Looking: Clay Holmes vs lefties, Nico Hoerner's pull power, Sean Manaea's velo Eno Sarris' first Caught Looking column of 2023 explores velocity jumps, sinker use, and Max Scherzer's altered release point.

APRIL 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Why Yankees mixed and matched in bullpen, using Clay Holmes and Jimmy Cordero in new spots New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone pushed all the right bullpen buttons in Saturday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays, getting a few clutch...

APRIL 23, 2023 • NJ.COM

Cole tosses 2-hitter with 10 Ks as Yanks blank Twins 2-0

Gerrit Cole pitched a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts for his fourth career shutout and the second complete game in the majors this season, leading the New York Yankees to a 2-0 vict...

APRIL 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yankees' Clay Holmes better get his act together soon, or else | Analysis The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins play a 1:05 p.m., game at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

APRIL 15, 2023 • NJ.COM

Yankees start with Anthony Volpe's first HR, finish with brutal meltdown by Clay Holmes A larger discussion surrounding Holmes may become necessary as the Twins rough up the All-Star closer to win 4-3.

APRIL 15, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Comes in early, blows save 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...

Impact 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.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Correa rallies Twins over Yank 4-3, overcomes Volpe's 1st HR

Carlos Correa homered for the second straight game and hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning off Clay Holmes as the Minnesota Twins rallied to beat the New York Yanke...

APRIL 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yankees blow it late with Clay Holmes sputtering again, waste Anthony Volpe's 1st homer in 4-3 loss to Twins The Yankees and Twins continued their four-game series on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

APRIL 15, 2023 • NJ.COM

Picks up fourth save 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yanks overcome Boone ejection, rally for 4-3 win over Guards

Oswaldo Cabrera hit a tiebreaking, two-out double in the ninth inning off Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase and the New York Yankees survived a nerve-racking finish for a 4-3 win ove...

APRIL 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adds another save Holmes earned a save against Baltimore on Sunday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Impact Holmes got the call with the Yankees up two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, and the right-hander made quick work of three Orioles batters, needing just nine pitches (eight of which were strikes) to retire the side in order. After a rough first appearance this season during which he allowed two runs over two-thirds of an inning, Holmes has settled in with four consecutive scoreless appearances during which he has allowed just one hit and posted a 7:1 K:BB over four frames. Though manager Aaron Boone suggested during spring camp that he could envision "a number of guys" closing games for the team this year, Holmes has thus far earned all three of the Yankees' saves.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE