New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton to manager Aaron Boone: Remove me from closer role

New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton told manager Aaron Boone to remove him from his current role as the team’s closer after his latest blown save of the season.

Britton spoke to Boone in the wake of giving up a walk-off, two-run shot by White Sox All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson in Chicago’s 9-8 win over the Yankees in Thursday’s “Field of Dreams” game in Iowa.

“I told him I don’t deserve to be out there in the ninth inning; other guys deserve it,” Britton said Saturday before Game 2 of the Yankees-White Sox series at Guaranteed Rate Field. “I haven’t been pitching the way I should be to be out there when the team needs wins. I told [Boone] I want to pitch, whenever you need me I’ll be ready, but I don’t deserve to be out there in those situations.”

Subbing in as the team’s closer, and put in charge of the ninth inning with Aroldis Chapman on the injured list due to left elbow inflammation, Britton has had four save opportunities and converted only one. Britton has an 8.10 ERA in those four appearances, giving up three earned runs over 3⅓ innings pitched.