Devin Williams Addresses Yankees Closer Change After Struggles

Yahoo

22-05-2025

Devin Williams doesn't plan to stay out of the ninth inning for long, and he does not need long to reset himself. The Yankees' former closer spoke publicly Sunday after being removed from the role, saying he wants to earn his way back as soon as possible.
'I mean, I'd like to be back on the mound as soon as I can,' Williams said. 'With the way things have gone recently, it's not really a shock to me.'
New York Yankees closer Devin WilliamsRick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Williams' struggles forced the Yankees to make a change this weekend. After blowing multiple leads and seeing his signature "Airbender" changeup lose its sharpness, the team decided to shift him out of high-leverage situations, at least for now.
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For Williams, it was a difficult but honest moment.
'Being a closer is a position you have to earn, and you have to keep earning it to continue to be in that role,' Williams said. 'Lately, I haven't been doing that.'
Williams didn't shy away from the disappointment or the responsibility that comes with it.
'It's disappointing. You work for years to get to that point and then have that taken away from you," he said. "It's not a fun feeling at all, but I can't say it's undeserved.'
The Yankees have shifted veteran right-hander Luke Weaver into the closer's spot for now. Weaver, who has been dominant to start the season, is expected to handle save situations while Williams works on regaining the feel for his fastball and the sharpness of his changeup.
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Manager Aaron Boone has left the door open for Williams to reclaim the job, if he pitches his way back into it.
For now, Williams is focused on doing exactly that.
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