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