Yankees Shift Closer Role Amid Bullpen Struggles

The New York Yankees are facing significant bullpen challenges, particularly with closer Clay Holmes, who has blown an MLB-leading 11 saves this season. Manager Aaron Boone has announced that the team will employ a matchup-based approach for the closer role, opting to use various relievers based on game situations. While Holmes will still be considered for high-leverage opportunities, Boone has not committed to him as the primary closer. The Yankees' bullpen struggles are exacerbated by their recent trade deadline moves, which have failed to bolster their performance, and their overall inconsistent play has seen them lose three consecutive series. This turmoil in the bullpen has dropped the Yankees out of first place in the AL East, intensifying the urgency to find a reliable closing strategy as the regular season winds down.