Yankees manager Aaron Boone says he'll 'mix and match' when it comes to closing games
Yankees manager Aaron Boone walks back to the dugout after the was ejected during the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Athletics at Yankee Stadium on June 28. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
BOSTON — Until further notice, Aaron Boone said he will “mix and match” when it comes to who closes games for the Yankees.
But don’t take that to mean he wouldn’t like to settle on one man for the job before October.
“I do feel like we have a handful of guys that are capable of doing it, [but] probably would be great to get to a point to where we just say, ‘Clay, you’re back in there,’ or whatever,'' Boone said. "But I feel like they’re all capable of getting back-end outs and want to put them in the best positions to be as successful as they can be.”
Clay Holmes’ second-half struggles — the All-Star has allowed at least one run in four of his last five outings — has put the Yankees’ closer situation in flux. Holmes remains in the mix, but so does a resurgent Aroldis Chapman — who entered Sunday with nine straight scoreless appearances — Scott Effross, who earned the save in Saturday night’s 3-2 victory, and Wandy Peralta.
“They’re all in play,” Boone said. “Just depending where we are on a given night with availability, where we are in the lineup. We’ll just kind of figure it out.”
Holmes, who had a 0.46 ERA as recently as July 9, has a 10.24 ERA in his last 11 games. He has allowed 12 hits and 11 walks in his last 11 innings and is 17-for-22 in save chances.
Stanton close?
Boone said Giancarlo Stanton, on the injured list since July 24 with left Achilles tendinitis, went through an “aggressive” day of work Sunday at the Stadium and is slated to go through a full on-field pregame workout — including running the bases and hitting — before Monday’s home game against the Rays.
“Then hopefully put a plan in place,” Boone said, meaning the potential of Stanton starting a rehab assignment soon thereafter. Boone said Saturday that he doesn't anticipate Stanton needing more than two or three rehab games before being activated.
