The Yankees have removed Devin Williams from the closer role after his recent struggles.
“For right now, I’m gonna take him out of that role,” Manager Aaron Boone said. “As I said to him, ‘You’ve still got everything to be great.’ This is a guy who’s in the prime of his career and is just going through it a little bit. It happens.”
Williams, acquired from Milwaukee this offseason, hasn’t shied away from his performance issues.
“It’s disappointing. You work for years to get to that point and then have that taken away from you,” Williams said. “It’s not a fun feeling at all, but I can’t say it’s undeserved.”
The right-hander has been brutally honest about his situation, acknowledging the standards that come with the ninth-inning role.
“Being a closer is a position you have to earn, and you have to keep earning it to continue to be in that role. Lately, I haven’t been doing that.”
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Williams’ recent performance is particularly puzzling given his track record. He’s been one of baseball’s most dominant relievers over the past few seasons, with a devastating changeup that’s baffled hitters across the league. The Yankees acquired him expecting the same dominance he showed in Milwaukee.
While April has historically been Williams’ most challenging month, he’s never struggled to this extent. The timing isn’t ideal for a Yankees bullpen that’s looking to stabilize after some early-season inconsistency.
“I mean, I’d like to be back on the mound as soon as I can,” Williams said. “With the way things have gone recently, it’s not really a shock to me.”
The Yankees haven’t announced who will take over closing duties, but they have several options including Clay Holmes, who has previous experience in the role. What’s clear is that getting Williams back on track remains a priority. His elite stuff makes him too valuable to remain in limbo for long.
