Williams rising again — quietly and without rocking Yankees’ plans

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Devin Williams never expected to hear boos at Yankee Stadium. But that’s exactly what greeted him during a disastrous April 2025.

The accomplished reliever arrived in New York with impressive credentials. He’d won National League Reliever of the Year honors twice during his Milwaukee tenure. The Yankees acquired him in December, trading Nestor Cortes Jr. and prospect Caleb Durbin for his services. The expectation was clear: Williams would stabilize the back end of the bullpen.

Instead, his first month in pinstripes was catastrophic. His ERA soared above 10.00. Yankee Stadium crowds grew restless. Manager Aaron Boone made the inevitable decision on April 27. Williams lost his closer duties. Luke Weaver inherited the role.

Now, nearly a month later, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Williams hasn’t reclaimed the ninth inning, but he’s rediscovered the dominance that made him so valuable. More importantly, he’s embraced his current situation.

“It doesn’t matter right now,” Williams told the New York Daily News when asked about regaining his role as closer. “I’m putting up zeros, right?”

A nightmare start, a measured response

Williams’ April performance was genuinely alarming. He surrendered 13 earned runs across just 11⅔ innings pitched. He issued 10 walks while opponents batted .328 against him. His confidence appeared shattered. The Yankee Stadium faithful showed no mercy.

However, elite talent rarely disappears permanently. It requires adjustment and recalibration. Williams, who maintained a career 1.83 ERA with Milwaukee, remained committed to finding solutions.

The Yankees organization maintained composure throughout the struggles. Boone and the front office exercised patience instead of making rash decisions. They shifted Williams to lower-pressure situations, modified his usage patterns, and relied on analytical feedback to guide mechanical adjustments. This methodical approach gradually began producing results.

Dominance returns, but role remains

Williams has been exceptional since April 28. He’s appeared in 11 games during this stretch. Ten of those outings have been scoreless. He’s allowed only one earned run while limiting opposing hitters to a .097 batting average. His ERA has plummeted from a peak of 11.25 to its current 6.88.

Thursday’s performance against Texas exemplified his resurgence. Williams retired the Rangers in order during the eighth inning of a 1-0 Yankees victory. The outing showcased the form that made him so dominant in Milwaukee.

“Yankees reliever Devin Williams, after early struggles, back dominating on the mound with another 1-2-3 inning,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale posted on X. “He’s yielding a .097 batting average in this stretch.”

His pitch arsenal has returned to its previous effectiveness. Statcast data reveals his trademark “Airbender” changeup regaining its devastating late movement. His fastball velocity has stabilized around 93.6 mph with occasional readings reaching 96.8 mph. The deception has returned along with the improved command. His strikeout percentage has climbed to 28.2%.

A setup role that’s working

Despite his renewed effectiveness, Williams remains outside the closer’s circle. Weaver has performed admirably in the ninth inning, posting a sub-1.00 ERA while collecting seven saves since his promotion. Boone sees no reason to alter a successful formula.

“No plans right now,” Boone said this week. “Devin’s throwing the ball really well, but so is Luke. We’ll see as we go.”

Williams isn’t applying public pressure for a role change. His approach appears measured and professional.

“You guys get all caught up in this,” he said of the closer conversation. “If I give up runs in the eighth inning if I give up runs in the ninth inning — they count the same.”

His response demonstrates maturity and team-first thinking. Perhaps it also reflects strategic wisdom. The Yankees are winning games. The bullpen is functioning at a high level. Williams is proving his value while rebuilding his reputation.

Bigger stakes ahead

The December trade carried significant implications for all parties involved. Cortes enjoyed popularity among Yankees fans. Durbin represented a promising infield prospect. The Yankees didn’t surrender these assets for ordinary bullpen help. They invested in Williams becoming their October closer.

That outcome remains possible despite current circumstances. The postseason is months away. Weaver, while reliable, lacks Williams’ ceiling and track record. Boone may be downplaying the situation publicly, but the analytics department surely monitors every strikeout Williams generates with his signature changeup.

Williams faces personal stakes as well. He’ll become a free agent after this season. Established closers command premium salaries. Setup relievers typically earn less. While he’s maintaining appropriate public statements, his future earning potential depends on more than solid eighth-inning work.

For now, he’s maintaining focus on immediate responsibilities.

Williams dismissed concerns about his role, emphasizing that he’s delivering scoreless outings and that’s what truly matters.

The bigger picture

Williams’ recovery demonstrates more than statistical improvement. It showcases remarkable resilience. Many pitchers have crumbled under New York’s intense pressure. Williams adapted instead. He avoided making excuses about coaching, venue, or circumstances. He committed to necessary work, refined his mechanics, and rediscovered his strengths.

The Yankees bullpen has become even more formidable because of his contributions. The unit already ranked among baseball’s statistical leaders. If Williams maintains this performance level, the organization will enter the season’s second half with unprecedented depth: two legitimate closers. One holds the title officially. The other possesses a superior track record.

Boone isn’t rushing to create labels or make declarations. He doesn’t need to. The results speak with sufficient volume.

The Devin Williams narrative in New York continues developing. What initially appeared to be a failed acquisition is transforming into one of 2025’s most positive Yankees developments.

He may not be the closer today or tomorrow. But if he’s holding the ball during October pressure moments, nobody should express surprise.

He’ll simply continue doing what he’s accomplished for the past month: delivering zeros regardless of the inning number.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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