After the 2023 season without the playoffs, the New York Yankees missed out on the AL championship for the 14th consecutive year, but entered 2024 with a lot to prove. Things seem to be going according to plan given their 23-13 record, and that’s due in no small part to the unstoppable performance of closer Clay Holmes.
This season, Holmes pitched 16.1 innings with a perfect 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts. He is tied for the MLB lead in saves with 11 saves in 12 chances, along with Ryan Helsley (St. Louis Cardinals) and Kyle Finnegan (Washington Nationals).
“It feels like something [will] Holmes told Greg Joyce of the New York Post on May 1st after recording his 10th save of the season.
Aaron Boone says Holmes is ‘really sharp’ and ‘off to a great start’
Joyce said Holmes’ excellent work has definitely caught the attention of Yankees manager Aaron Boone. On May 1, Boone brought Holmes out of the bullpen against the Baltimore Orioles in hopes of making a five-out save, meaning the Yankees may need to use another relief pitcher in the ninth inning. Was. His decision paid off.
“That’s the game,” Boone told Joyce. “If the eighth inning goes longer and we have to go with another guy in the ninth, so be it. We’re at the top of their standings and we’re competing against a few guys. In Clay’s case. , it’s one more pitch if he gets it on the ground properly. But it felt like, oh, that was the game, and you’re going to be worried about the ninth once you get there. ”
“[Holmes] It was really sharp,” Boone continued. “Obviously, Clay is off to a great start this year and is throwing the ball incredibly well. He went in there tonight at No. 1 and No. 2 and was at the top of the five-out save standings, his I thought things were really sharp. We had a little more power with our slider and sinker tonight, but we commanded it very well.”
Yankees bullpen leads MLB
As of May 6, the Yankees’ bullpen leads the MLB with a combined ERA of 2.27 and is holding opponents to a batting average of .197. Holmes has established himself as arguably the most talented closer in MLB, but he’s not the only Yankees relief pitcher to have a strong season. In fact, no relief pitcher on the team has an ERA above 5.00, and Caleb Ferguson is the only one with an ERA above 5.00. 4.00 or more.
The Yankees’ bullpen has been largely static throughout the offseason, and considering they led MLB with a 3.34 ERA in 619 innings last year, there was no need to fix what wasn’t broken. Still, injuries necessitated some shuffling.
After three scoreless games, Jonathan Loaisiga suffered a torn UCL and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2024 season. On April 19, the bullpen took another hit when Nick Vardy was found on the IL with his right hip. Tommy Kahnle started the season on the IL after suffering a shoulder injury, but his return could be within the next few weeks.
The Yankees’ relievers have proven to be one of the top bullpens in MLB, especially considering the injuries they’ve had to overcome this season. Kahnle is set to return for the next few series, so he might get even better as the season progresses.
