Yankees take surprising action on Devin Williams after shaky start

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 1, 2025, 00:29 IST

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Devin Williams lost his spot as the Yankees' closer when he allowed 10 runs through his first 8 innings. Maybe the stress of New York, the scrutiny of the press, and off-season changes worked against him. His former teammate Christian Yelich advises not to worry, Devin Williams simply requires time. Luke Weaver will cover closing games instead. Devin Williams aims to get in shape before free agency next season.

Yankees take surprising action on Devin Williams after shaky start (Image Source: X)

Devin Williams was supposed to be the New York Yankees' star closer this year. He arrived from the Milwaukee Brewers with an excellent record and high expectations. But it has not been good. After a series of poor games, the Yankees took him out of the closer role. Fans are shocked, and some point to the pressure of performing in New York. Williams is now attempting to mend his form while another reliever pitches the last innings.

Devin Williams loses closer role after poor start with Yankees

Devin Williams used to be regarded as one of baseball's greatest closers. He possessed a very low ERA and plenty of strikeouts for the Brewers. However, things did not go right for him once he joined the Yankees. In his initial 8 innings, he allowed 10 runs. He blew a four-run lead and missed another save opportunity last week, too.

Due to those struggles, the Yankees removed him from the closer's role. It's a dramatic change for Devin Williams, who has been trusted for years. Others believe it's more difficult playing in New York due to all the pressure, large crowds, and press.
Devin Williams also did not appreciate having to shave off his beard because of an old Yankees policy. The policy is now being altered, but the transition may have been a source of stress. He also did not enjoy working with so many media members in the locker room.

Yelich backs Devin Williams as Yankees shift focus to Luke Weaver

Not everybody is concerned about Devin Williams. His former Milwaukee teammate, Christian Yelich, says this is a minor issue. He explained to Fox News that Devin Williams is still one of the best closers in the game and will recover soon.
Devin Williams did have some solid performances this month where he did not give up any hits or runs. But after more tough appearances, the Yankees now have faith in Luke Weaver as their new closer. Weaver has been flawless this season, with a 0.00 ERA in 13 games.
Devin Williams will now find himself in less-pressure scenarios. It's tough on him, especially since he will be a free agent next season. He still has time to turn things around, and most fans hope he does.
Also Read: Devin Williams Impresses Yankees Manager Aaron Boone With His Mojo Moment Against The Orioles

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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