Yankees strip Devin Williams of closer's title 'for right now'

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on Apr 27, 2025

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — Devin Williams is out as the Yankees’ closer, at least “for right now,” Aaron Boone said Sunday morning.

Williams, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers over the winter, has endured a brutal start to his pinstriped career, taking an 11.25 ERA, two losses and one blown save over 10 games into Sunday’s doubleheader against the Blue Jays. Williams’ performance in Friday’s loss to Toronto pushed Boone to remove the two-time National League Reliever of the Year from the closer’s job, as the righty didn’t record an out and allowed three earned runs as fans chanted “We want [Luke] Weaver” in the ninth inning.

“Everyone has their opinions,” Williams said of the chants that night. An impending free agent, he added that he’s certainly been frustrated with his performance.

“Nothing’s working right now,” Williams said.

With the Yankees rained out, Boone spoke to Williams about no longer closing on Saturday. The manager called it a “really good” conversation and said that Williams is “ready to do whatever.”

“As I said to him, he’s still got everything to be great,” Boone said. “This is a guy that is in the prime of his career, and he’s just going through it a little bit. And it happens. I tell our players all the time, you make a career at this long enough, and you’re going to face some challenging moments. You’re going to face some adversity along the way.

“The good news for Devin is he’s got everything to get through this and come out better on the other side, and that’s my expectation. But for right now, I think it’s best for everyone that we pull him out of that role and just try and start building some good rhythm and confidence and momentum.”

On the mound, Williams has struggled with his command, and his “Airbender” changeup hasn’t been the weapon it’s been in the past.

Going forward, Boone said he’d like to see Williams stack some good outings and consistently get ahead in the count. Asked if Williams will only be used in low-leverage situations for now or if he could pitch in tight spots, potentially including the seventh and eighth innings, Boone said the pitcher doesn’t have a specific role at the moment.

“I do believe at his core, he knows that he’s going to get through this,” Boone said. “It’s just when you’re going through it, it’s a little challenging to find and trust that. So he’ll get there, and we’ll support him as best we can.”

Weaver, meanwhile, is expected to handle most save opportunities for the time being. However, Boone said “everyone” in the Yankees’ bullpen should be prepared.

Weaver took over the role from Clay Holmes late last season and thrived in it throughout the end of the Yankees’ postseason run.

For Williams, early-season struggles are nothing new, something he’s said throughout his skid. March/April has always been his worst month in terms of ERA, though his woes have been far more dramatic this year than they ever were in Milwaukee.

“I think it is a little bit different in that it’s been obviously a struggle in a new environment, in a bigger place, all those kinds of things,” Boone said. “So I just want to give him the best opportunity to kind of get through this.”

Boone’s mention of a “bigger place” – that would be New York City – comes amid speculation that Williams hasn’t been all that comfortable in his new surroundings.

On Friday, Williams was asked if he’s found it easy to settle in off the mound given all the changes he’s experienced in the last few months. In answering, he mentioned his new location.

“Yeah,” Williams said. “I mean, easy enough as New York City can be, but I gotta get things rolling in the right direction.”

Williams, who added he’s had to make “a lot of adjustments” and handle “new life stuff” – he became a first-time father earlier this season – has also noted several times how big the press contingent covering the Yankees is. There have been a few testy postgame scrums following bad outings, and he’s been booed by fans since Opening Day. That’s something he didn’t have much experience with as a Brewer.

Williams also played a catalytic role in the Yankees changing their decades-old facial hair policy in the spring.

“I think there’s that adjustment,” Boone said of the New York factor. “So I’m sure there’s some shock to that, and some, ‘Okay, getting settled.’ He’s with a new team in a new environment. That’s all part of it.”

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