Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Devin Williams Opens Up After Losing Yankees Closer Job in Just 10 Games

About time?

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The pressure of New York can make or break even the best, and for Devin Williams, the city’s bright lights have turned brutal.

After dominating with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, posting a 1.25 ERA across 22 outings and locking down 14 saves, Devin Williams arrived in the Bronx with sky-high expectations. But just 10 appearances into his Yankees tenure, that promise has crumbled.

Williams, who has already surrendered 10 runs in just eight innings this season, was officially removed from the closer role after his latest meltdown against the Toronto Blue Jays. Protecting a 2-1 lead on Thursday night, Williams faced three batters and failed to record a single out. The most damaging blow came off Alejandro Kirk’s bat, a double over center fielder Trent Grisham’s head that plated two runs and flipped the game, and perhaps Williams’ short-lived time as closer, on its head.

It wasn’t just one bad night, though. Williams’ struggles have been steady and alarming. Last weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays, he squandered a four-run cushion. Opposing hitters have torched his four-seam fastball for a .462 batting average and haven’t been fooled by his signature “Airbender” changeup either, hitting .273 against it. In total, Williams has been tagged for 12 runs (10 earned) over just eight innings.

ALSO READ: Yankee Stadium Reacts in Three Words as Devin Williams Struggles Again

Understandably, manager Aaron Boone is keeping things open-ended when it comes to Williams’ future role. Boone suggested that the two-time All-Star could be used in lower-leverage situations or potentially transition back to a setup role. Reflecting on his demotion, Devin Williams sounded clear-eyed and accepting.

Devin Williams shares what he plans to work on moving forward.#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/0MwyDRDH6a
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 28, 2025

“With the way things have gone, it’s not a shock to me,” Williams said. “Being a closer is a position you have to earn and you have to keep earning it to continue to be in that role. I haven’t been doing that. It’s disappointing. You work for years to get to that point and you have it taken away from you. It’s not a fun feeling at all. I can’t say it’s undeserved.”

Who Will Replace Devin Williams as Yankees’ Closer?

Taking over the ninth inning will be Luke Weaver, who already proved last season that he could handle the heat. Weaver stepped into the closer role in September 2024 after Clay Holmes struggled, collecting four saves without allowing an earned run in the final month. His postseason resume was equally strong, saving four games, including three clutch performances against the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, while giving up just three runs over 15 1/3 innings.

This year, after losing his closer job over the winter when the Yankees traded for Williams (sending Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee), Weaver has quietly thrived. The right-hander has tossed 13 spotless innings so far in 2025, striking out 13 without allowing a single run.

Devin Williams

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.