Yankees Notebook: Clay Holmes looks as ‘polished’ as ever, Michael Tonkin claimed off waivers

When the Yankees first acquired Clay Holmes from the Pirates midway through the 2021 season, the trade didn’t receive much fanfare.

It didn’t deserve to, as the righty had a 5.57 ERA over 91 career games for Pittsburgh. The long grind of an MLB season requires depth moves, and Holmes appeared to be nothing more.

Fast forward to present day and Holmes has established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable closers, a job he seized from Aroldis Chapman during the 2022 season. An All-Star that year, Holmes entered Thursday’s series finale against the A’s with a 2.32 ERA and 53 saves over 165 games with the Yankees.

That includes a 0.00 ERA and nine saves (10 tries) over 12 games this season.

“I just think he’s really good,” Aaron Boone recently said, though some like to debate that notion because Holmes is not your prototypical, overpowering closer.

Instead, Holmes primarily relies on a sinker-slider combo to induce groundballs, which he’s done at a 67.5% clip since putting on the pinstripes.

That willingness to pitch to contact has led to some hiccups for Holmes — and a Yankees bullpen that hasn’t struck many people out this season — but such is life when the ball is in play (and your infield makes some early-season errors).

“He’s always handled those really well,” Boone said Thursday of Holmes’ ability to get past inevitable “bumps in the road.”

Holmes has also occasionally doomed himself by losing command of his signature sinker. However, he had only walked one batter this season prior to Thursday.

“I feel like he’s just got a better handle of his delivery; of his arsenal; of when something’s not exactly right, being able to correct on the fly better,” Boone said. “So I just feel like he’s a more complete and polished pro, and it’s a credit to him and his work ethic and his mindset and his professionalism.”

Still, Holmes’ contact-oriented approach can cause some heartburn from time to time, especially for a fanbase that was spoiled by Mariano Rivera’s lockdown career.

Holmes is no unanimous Hall of Famer like the Sandman, but he’s certainly looked better than some want to give him credit for.

“Obviously, since we’ve had him, he’s been really, really good for the last few years,” Boone said. “But he’s never really satisfied. He’s always working to get a little bit better all the time at his craft. And I feel like we have a more polished, complete pitcher than even the one that we’ve had and seen dominate at different times over the last few years.”

Holmes’ strong start has come in a pivotal year, as the 31-year-old, making $6 million, is slated for free agency after the season.

It’s unclear if the Yankees will make a serious run at retaining him – big relief deals have backfired on the team in the recent past — after no extension talks were held in spring training. The Yankees also have a knack for developing relievers out of nowhere; Holmes is a perfect example.

However, Holmes has shown that he can pitch in New York. That alone may be worth further investment.

“You can’t have a better guy makeup-wise and between the ears,” Boone said. “There’s a lot right that Clay does in who he is as a person and as a pro and as an athlete. He takes care of himself. He works. That’s how you draw it up, and that’s why he handles the pressures of being the closer for the Yankees so well and is equipped to handle the inevitable highs and lows that come with that.”

A New Reliever

The Yankees claimed right-handed reliever Michael Tonkin off waivers from the Mets on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated McKinley Moore for assignment.

Tonkin, 34, has a 4.44 ERA over 192 MLB games. He’s a groundball guy who leans on sliders, fastballs and sinkers.

Boone said the veteran could give the Yankees some length if needed.

Burdi and Berti

Reliever Nick Burdi (hip inflammation) received an anti-inflammatory injection on Monday. The pitcher said he hasn’t felt any pain since. Burdi is hoping to get on a mound this weekend.

Meanwhile, Boone said that infielder Jon Berti (groin) could potentially begin a rehab assignment on Sunday after a few “heavy” days of baseball activities in New York.

Cole Staying Back

Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) will not travel with the Yankees on their upcoming road trip to Milwaukee and Baltimore. He’ll continue his rehab in New York. There’s still a chance he gets on a mound for the first time next week.