As the season inches closer, the New York Yankees are finalizing roster spots. Several prospects are duking it out for a chance to make the club. Meanwhile, the Yankees are looking very sharp in the back end of the bullpen. The closer role and setup role seem to be polished in 2026.

The Yankees’ Recent Closer Troubles

Pitching-wise, it’s been a roller coaster for the Yankees in the late innings of a ball game. The club has not had a very reliable or stable closer since the golden days of Mariano Rivera. 

Since then, the best option they’ve had in the back end of the bullpen was Aroldis Chapman. This mirage did not last very long. In fact, it went downhill as Chapman struggled to put away teams. Finding a closer in the Bronx was like speed-dating. 

Clay Holmes held his own for a few years until he hit an imaginary wall and lost capabilities. It’s almost as if he forgot how to act in pressure situations. Replacing him was Luke Weaver, a temporary fill-in who took the reins into the 2024 postseason and World Series.

Later that year, the Yankees made the decision to shop for an established closer. Devin Williams was their purchase, and it made total sense on paper. On the bump, it did not show well. In fact, nearly every outing was like a fear-filled horror movie. 

Williams and Weaver flip-flopped between closer and set-up man. Neither of these guys found their groove, and they are now both across town with the New York Mets. Right-hander David Bednar was picked up before the 2025 trade deadline; this may have been the best thing the Yankees did so far. 

To date, the current Yankees situation in the late innings looks very promising. It has pitch-ability, effectiveness, and some velocity in the mix. 

Right-Hander David Bednar Fits the Closer Role With Ease

When watching Bednar pitch, he does not exactly meet the numerical expectation like a Mason Miller, or the eye test, like Chapman. That does not define his abilities. In fact, Bednar has extremely sharp pitch-ability.  He has a three-pitch repertoire, with all of his options at 20% or above on put-away metrics. In 2025, Bednar posted a 55.9% AIR and a 34.3% strikeout percentage. 

Bednar’s 2025 season was overall impressive, posting a 2.30 ERA and 27 saves in 62 2/3 innings, with 86 strikeouts and 19 walks. The right-hander competed in the recent World Baseball Classic tournament for the United States. 

The Yankees right-hander pitched four innings in four games of the tournament. He allowed no runs, six hits, and struck out eight batters. The closer faced Canada in the quarterfinals, where he was summoned in the bottom of the seventh with two in scoring position, none out, up 5-3.

He got Josh Naylor to pop out to third base, struck out Tyler O’Neill, and then struck out Canada’s hot hitter, Owen Caissie. This left two runners stranded, allowing Team USA to go on and win that game. 

The right-handed closer has proven to be reliable in these situations. Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident in his closer, and so should everyone else be.

HUGE STRIKEOUT FOR TEAM USA 😤

David Bednar strands two in scoring position in the 7th! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/mja7tXrYDg

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2026

Options for the Setup Man and Backup Closer 

Another strong option on the back-end of the bullpen is right-handed pitcher Camilo Doval. Doval was a closer with five years of major league experience in both San Francisco and Boston. 

The right-hander finished with 16 total saves last year between the Giants and Yankees; he finished with 65 1/3 innings. Doval does hold the expected closer metrics, working a three-pitch mix up to 100 mph. 

Doval is lights out on the mound, but will likely be the consistent setup man and a backup closer. Fernando Cruz is also in the conversation as a consistent late relief option, with pitchability, and the tools to be successful. 

These three options collectively cover the back-end of the bullpen, making it strong and competitive.

 

Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images