Boone: Yankees will be 'creative' in 9th inning amid Holmes' struggles

It's all hands on deck for the New York Yankees in the ninth inning.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he'll be "creative" with the closer's role in the wake of Clay Holmes' struggles and base decisions on matchups, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News.

Boone hinted that he was considering other options for the ninth after Holmes allowed a walk-off grand slam to Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford on Tuesday. The blown save, Holmes' fifth of the second half, dropped New York a half-game out of first place in the AL East.

The skipper cited the "noise" surrounding Holmes' performance as reason for the change, according to Phillips. While Holmes won't have the official title of closer, Boone noted that Holmes could still get save opportunities as part of the by-committee approach if the situation dictates it.

"I'm ready to pitch whenever and willing to do whatever it takes to win," Holmes told Phillips about his role.

Right-handers Jake Cousins, Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, and Mark Leiter Jr. appear to be prime candidates to close games down the stretch for New York. Southpaws Tim Mayza and Tim Hill could also receive save opportunities in certain situations.

Boone also hinted that a starting pitcher could be bumped to bullpen duty for the final weeks of the season, though he didn't specify who that might be. The team already announced that Nestor Cortes will make one relief appearance this weekend in a piggyback role behind either Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt, who are scheduled to start in their returns from the injured list.

Yankees relievers have posted a 4.60 ERA since the All-Star break, ranking 22nd in baseball over that span.