The New York Yankees are in the middle of a rough patch, and Devin Williams’ struggles may be making the situation worse. After losing their third game in four matches to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees’ star closer faced a critical moment that could determine his future with the team. With the Yankees leading 2-1 in the ninth inning, Williams failed to close the game, allowing Toronto to score three runs and flip the lead to 4-2, a deficit the Yankees couldn’t overcome.
Manager Aaron Boone entrusted Williams with a one-run lead in the final inning, but the closer faltered. He allowed a single to George Springer, hit Andres Gimenez with a pitch, and then gave up a two-run double to Alejandro Kirk. After just three batters, Boone pulled Williams from the game, and boos echoed throughout Yankee Stadium.
Williams has had a rough start with the Yankees, posting a shocking 11.25 ERA in 10 appearances. He has allowed 10 earned runs over just eight innings, striking out only eight batters while walking seven. With only four saves so far this season, Williams’ performance is far from what the Yankees hoped for when they traded for him from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Boone now faces a tough decision: stick with Williams as the closer or turn to last year’s closer, Luke Weaver, who has been stellar this season. Boone admitted after the Blue Jays loss that he would need to reassess the closer situation. “We’ll see,” Boone said. “We want to do everything we can to get him right because we know how good he is and how valuable he’s going to be for us.”
Meanwhile, Weaver has been lights out this season, throwing 13 innings without allowing a run. He’s struck out 13 batters, walked five, and secured two saves. His flawless performance is exactly what the Yankees expected from Williams, making it increasingly likely that Weaver could replace Williams as the closer.
Although Williams has been one of the league’s top relief pitchers in recent years, posting sub-2.00 ERAs in each of the last three seasons with the Brewers, his current struggles suggest he might benefit from lower-leverage situations until he finds his rhythm. Boone and the Yankees will have to decide soon whether to make a change or stick with Williams for the long run.
