Devin Williams shows progress, but Yankees still holding off on closer role

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According to NY Daily News’ Peter Esplendorio, the New York Yankees don’t have a set date for Devin Williams to reclaim the closer role—but his recent outings are offering reasons for optimism.

Williams entered Saturday having delivered three consecutive scoreless appearances, including a dominant eighth inning during Friday’s 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander needed just eight pitches to retire the side in order at Yankee Stadium.

Since being removed from closing duties due to early-season struggles, Williams has looked sharper. He hasn’t allowed a hit across those three outings.

“It’s been good to get him right back in there and pitching in leverage situations,” manager Aaron Boone said after Friday’s win. “He’s attacking the zone, mixing the fastball with the great changeup. It’s encouraging. Coming off a tough stretch and bouncing back like this—it’s not easy. But he’s throwing the ball really well.”

Friday marked Devin Williams’ first outing in the Bronx since a disastrous April 25 appearance, when he gave up three runs without recording an out in a loss to the Blue Jays. The following weekend, Boone announced a temporary change in the closer role. At the time, Williams was 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA and one blown save.

“It’s really just reps, getting into that mid-season form,” Williams said last weekend. “I usually start a little slow. The only year I didn’t was when I pitched in the WBC and had to lock in earlier. It’s about getting game reps.”

Luke Weaver, who entered Saturday with a spotless ERA across 13 appearances, recorded his third save of the season Friday night by pitching a clean ninth.

Devin Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year and All-Star, was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. He has posted a sub-2.00 ERA in each of the past three seasons.

“As I’ve said, the guy’s great, and that didn’t go away because he had a couple of bad outings in a new environment,” Boone reiterated.

Williams has continued to pitch in high-leverage spots. He handled the eighth inning Monday and the seventh on Wednesday in Baltimore—both in one-run games with the Yankees trailing. Friday’s appearance earned him his first hold of the season.

“He’s just getting more consistent in the strike zone, and now he’s starting to stack outings,” Boone said. “Hopefully he keeps doing that.”

Bellinger gets leadoff shot

Cody Bellinger led off for the Yankees for the first time this season on Saturday with Rays right-hander Zack Littell on the mound and Trent Grisham getting the day off.

“Somebody’s got to go there,” Boone said. “I kind of like [Ben] Rice behind [Aaron] Judge right now. [Bellinger has] done it before. Hopefully he can set the tone today.”

It marked Bellinger’s third career start in the leadoff spot and made him the fifth Yankee to lead off this year, joining Grisham, Rice, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Wells.

DJ LeMahieu resumed his rehab assignment Friday night with Double-A Somerset, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. It was his first rehab appearance since Sunday, after receiving a cortisone shot Tuesday in his hip to address discomfort and prevent further issues.

LeMahieu remains on the injured list with a calf strain sustained during spring training. Boone said there is still no set timeline for his return, though LeMahieu is now 6-for-13 with a homer and three RBI across five rehab games.

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