Holmes will continue to face ‘toughest parts’ of opposing lineups

NEW YORK — It almost seems automatic right now. Clay Holmes came in Tuesday night and slammed the door against the Rays for his 10th career save. All 10 have come this season. The righthander has been so dominant and reliable it’s almost hard to remember he didn’t come into the season as the Yankees closer.

With Aroldis Chapman closing in on a return from the injured list, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees use Holmes when the closer returns. Before Chapman suffered the Achilles injury, Aaron Boone was quicker to use Holmes in the highest leverage moments against the toughest parts of the lineup.

Donaldson’s back: Josh Donaldson was back in the lineup on Wednesday. The veteran infielder served a

one-game suspension on Tuesday night for his “disrespectful comments” to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson last month, which eventually resulted in a benches-clearing scrum.

Donaldson, who is hitting .235 with five homers and 18 RBI, was back at third base and hitting fifth for Wednesday night’s game against the Rays.

Hicks hits: Aaron Hicks was back in the lineup Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday night’s game. The outfielder is starting to show some signs of getting back to form — particularly with his defense. His arm strength, after 2019 Tommy John surgery, is starting to show itself again.

“His throw in left field the other day in Minnesota was really encouraging,” Boone said. “We hadn’t seen that arm come back and to see him make that throw. There’s very few people making that throw. And that was reminiscent of Aaron.”