After a brutal loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night, Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke to the media before Wednesday’s series finale and delivered an update on the team’s ninth-inning situation and the latest with their young catcher, Austin Wells.
Plus, Boone discusses whether the Yankees will move Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt to the bullpen.
Yankees to get ‘creative’ with closer role
Clay Holmes blew his MLB-leading 11th save in Tuesday’s loss prompting more questions about the closer’s viability for the rest of the regular season and beyond. Boone didn’t want to answer many questions about the closer’s future immediately after the game, but after 16 hours he had some answers.
Speaking with the media before Wednesday’s series finale with the Rangers, Boone said they will get “creative” with the role in the short term. That means they’ll have relievers come in based on matchup regardless of the inning.
“In the short term just try and put these guys in the best position to be successful,” the manager said. “And how that shakes out, may vary a little bit every night.”
Boone said that Homles could still be in the mix “on given nights” but cited the noise around the closer and his recent struggles as a reason for this shake-up.
“Kinda want to support Clay through this,” Boone added, “And again, I feel like he’s been 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 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 we know he can be.”
SNY’s Andy Martino broke down what the Yankees mean when they say they will get creative with their bullpen after Holmes blew the Little League Classic in late August and can still be applied today.
Will a starter move to the bullpen?
Amid this new creative direction for the closer role, Boone was asked whether moving one of the Yankees’ starters — specifically Gil or Schmidt — into the bullpen was in the plans.
Boone didn’t rule out that possibility.
The Yankees skipper confirmed that Gil and Schmidt will start Friday and Saturday of this weekend’s series so the team will go with a six-man rotation this time through but it’s likely one of the young hurlers will move to the bullpen after their start.
Austin Wells should return soon
The Yankees young backstop is not in Wednesday’s starting lineup and will miss his second consecutive game after he was hit in the wrist/hand on Monday. Boone said Wells is available in Wednesday’s game but the team thought about bringing up a third catcher.
However, Wells swung the bat on Wednesday and got through it. Boone expects Wells to be back in the lineup on Friday against the Cubs.
