OAKLAND — Clay Holmes threw a simulated inning earlier than Friday’s sport in anticipation of returning to the energetic roster on Monday. The nearer, who has been on the injured checklist with again tightness, stated he felt good and expects to return as quickly as eligible.
But what position will Holmes return to? Aaron Boone has been mixing and matching the again finish of his bullpen proper now. The Yankees supervisor hopes Holmes, who struggled earlier than occurring the IL, will take it again.
“I feel like I’m just going to try and get him in the best positions to be successful. I feel like we’ve had a number of guys, especially of late, that have shown the ability to close out a game … [I’ll] continue to do it that way,” Boone stated earlier than Friday night time’s sport towards the A’s on the Coliseum. “And hopefully along the way, maybe somebody grabs that and solidifies that and establishes that, but I think we’ll see that kind of play itself out over the next several weeks.”
Holmes was probably the most dominant nearer within the league heading into July after which he misplaced the command of his nasty sinker. In his first 38 video games this season, Holmes was unhittable. He pitched to a 0.46 ERA, strolling six in 39.1 innings pitched. Over his final 11 appearances, he has allowed 11 earned runs and walked 10 in 9.2 innings pitched.
“I do absolutely feel like he can make an impact at this level. Watching his live [batting practice] today, he’s got special stuff,” Boone stated. “So it’s about [just getting] locked in again from the delivery standpoint, and it can take off just as quick as we saw the first few months of the season. So, yeah, I’m optimistic about that. And I feel like he’s in a good spot now health wise too.”
Pitching coach Matt Blake has additionally used Holmes’ time on the IL to assist him work on his supply. He was very pleased with the way in which Holmes appeared Friday afternoon, noting that his slider appeared sharper and the sinker was again below management.
Getting Holmes again to the shape he had earlier than the All-Star break is essential for the Yankees. Aroldis Chapman has not been dominant since final season. Boone continues to be making an attempt to get him again to a place the place he can assist the Yankees.
“Physically, it’s in there. I do think he struggled a little bit with confidence at times, [gotta] get that swagger back. And the good thing is physically it’s still in there,” Boone stated. “You know, mechanically he’s addressed things and cleaned things up, put them in a good spot. But we gotta get him to continue to repeat his delivery.”
RIZZO RESTS
Anthony Rizzo had an anticipated day without work Friday. The first baseman has been struggling since he missed 5 video games with decrease again spasms.
“I was gonna get one of these off with the lefty and it keeps Gleyber [Torres] and [Josh Donaldson] both in there against the lefty,” Boone stated. “You know, just want to be mindful, just with what he’s had to deal with at the back and stuff. Picking spots here and there.”
In the 14 video games since he sat out 5, Rizzo is hitting .208/.276/.321 with a .597 OPS and a house run. He’s struck out 20 occasions.
“He threw a couple of hits out there [Thursday night],” Boone stated. “I think he’s managed it pretty well.”
Overall this season, Rizzo is hitting .224/.338/.486 with a .825 OPS.
NESTOR NOT RESTING
Nestor Cortes was again out on the sphere pregame Friday, going by stretches, operating and enjoying catch. The lefty, who went on the IL Thursday with a left groin pressure, has not fully shut down, however Boone was adamant that he’s injured.
“I know some people think this is a rest thing,” Boone stated. “It is not a rest thing. It’s a Grade 2 strain of his groin.”
And Boone stated that the truth that Cortes is just not resting, however shifting by this can be a good signal.
“The fact that symptomatically he’s doing pretty well and able to do a lot of things. I think, hopefully, it’s something that speeds up the process,” Boone stated.
“Hopefully this continues to go well and we’re starting to think about the next big challenge,” Boone added. “The next challenge will be getting on the mound and how it responds to throwing off the mound. Hopefully, he gets back on the mound at some point on this trip, and we can start to get him going again.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com