The Yankees are still waiting for Devin Williams to find his groove after acquiring the elite closer this offseason. It’s been a rough start for the two-time All-Star, who was supposed to solve the ninth-inning issues that plagued New York last season.
Williams hasn’t looked like himself through his first four appearances in pinstripes. He’s sporting an alarming 12.00 ERA with four walks and five strikeouts, and nearly coughed up a 4-0 lead against the Tigers on Wednesday before manager Aaron Boone pulled him for Mark Leiter Jr.
The former Brewers closer isn’t hiding from his struggles.
“I’m still figuring stuff out,” Williams told the New York Daily News. “I haven’t felt like 100% myself up to this point, but I would say I’m getting closer, for sure.”
While Williams clarified he’s physically ready to pitch, his command remains a work in progress. “If I’m locating, the problems solve themselves,” he said.
That’s a straightforward assessment from a pitcher who’s been one of baseball’s most dominant relievers in recent years. The Yankees acquired Williams precisely because they needed reliability after Clay Holmes tied the franchise record for most blown saves in a single season last year.
Early season struggles nothing new
There’s actually reason for optimism despite the shaky start. Williams has historically struggled in March and April, posting a career 3.86 ERA in those months compared to a dominant 1.68 ERA the rest of the season.
The Yankees’ offense, which carried the team through Williams’ early hiccups, has cooled off recently. They managed just six runs across their three-game series in Detroit’s frigid conditions.
Boone isn’t showing any signs of concern about his new closer.
“He hasn’t had a lot of work,” Boone said. “I mean, that’s part of it, too. So hopefully we get in the flow, but I’m confident this is going to be a distant memory as we continue to move forward, because he’s not that far off. Just a little bit better strike throwing, and once he starts doing that and starts dictating counts, then you’re going to see it.”
The way Williams has dominated throughout his career, it’s reasonable to expect he’ll find his form as the season progresses. For now, the Yankees will need to weather these early struggles while their prized bullpen acquisition works through his command issues.
