Boone Explains Bold Move to Trust Devin Williams in Extra Innings
Aaron Boone didn't hesitate Wednesday night. Tenth inning, tie game, everything on the line, and he called for the beleaguered right-hander, Devin Williams.
Williams entered having already lost his closer role earlier this season, and just two nights prior, he blew a lead in what Boone described as a 'lower-leverage' spot. But on Wednesday, the Yankees manager trusted him with the game.
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'We needed him. I mean, period,' Boone said postgame. 'And I do feel like he has been throwing the ball really well the last couple weeks.'
Williams delivered. He struck out three in the bottom of the 10th: Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts. He had to rely on his changeup heavily after yanking his fastball early in the outing.
New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams reacts after striking out three in the 10th inning against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2025. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
But the strikeouts proved to Boone, to Yankees fans, and most importantly to himself, that his changeup was good enough to get huge outs. It was a moment of Devin Williams redemption — a flash of the dominance that made him one of the game's elite late-inning arms.
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That was the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting when they sent Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee. It's the pitcher Boone believes he still is.
'He had the outing the other day, we were struggling a little bit, obviously,' Boone said, referring to Monday's blown lead. 'But, you know, the few before that, I thought were really good. And even some of the ones where he has struggled, it's been a little wonky. It hasn't bounced his way.'
'This guy's been one of the game's great relievers now for a while,' Boone added. 'And you get a peek at it right there.'
Wednesday night validated Boone's bullpen decision and may begin to rebuild the trust both the Devin Williams Yankees hoped for — and the one Williams is working to become again.
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