Williams’ close call in first save since demotion almost derails Yankees

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ANAHEIM, Calif. — Devin Williams, the high-profile offseason addition tasked with solidifying the Yankees’ closing duties, delivered another nerve-wracking performance. With regular closer Luke Weaver sidelined due to overuse, Williams entered with a comfortable 3-0 lead only to nearly surrender the game entirely.

The New York Yankees continue their impressive 2025 campaign with authority. Their 34-20 record through 54 games places them firmly atop the AL East with a substantial seven-game advantage. Yet Tuesday’s narrow 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels due to Williams’ tightrope walk exposed a persistent weakness that could derail championship hopes.

A ninth inning again to forget

Williams’ return to save situations proved far from smooth. Making his first Yankees closing appearance since losing the role over a month ago, he immediately allowed a solo blast to Yoán Moncada. Two additional hits followed before the Angels mounted a serious comeback threat.

With runners in scoring position and the tying run on base, only Logan O’Hoppe’s poorly-timed popup prevented complete disaster.

“I mean, at the end of the day, we won,” Williams stated after recording his fifth save of the season. “That’s all that matters.”

The outcome might satisfy Williams, but his latest struggle adds to mounting concerns about late-inning reliability.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone maintained his public confidence in the struggling reliever.

“Not worried about it,” Boone declared following the game. “In the end, you bend, don’t break. There’s a lot that you take away from that outing.”

Statistics paint a complex picture of Williams’ recent form. He had compiled 7.1 scoreless frames across eight previous appearances, dropping his ERA from 10.00 to 6.16. Tuesday’s meltdown pushed that number back to 6.76. Such inconsistency explains Boone’s reluctance to reinstall Williams as the full-time closer despite the save.

Bronx struggles a bloat on Williams’ career

Williams joined the Yankees with considerable expectations following his successful Milwaukee tenure. His New York debut proved disastrous, nearly costing the team their season opener and earning immediate fan displeasure just 18 pitches into his pinstripe career.

The low point came on April 25 against Toronto. Williams surrendered three ninth-inning runs, blowing the save while inflating his ERA to 11.25. His subsequent demotion seemed inevitable.

Recent weeks showed improvement in command and effectiveness — until Tuesday’s regression in Anaheim.

The ninth-inning drama unfolded predictably after Moncada’s leadoff homer. Taylor Ward singled before Travis d’Arnaud launched a deep drive that center field barely contained. Luis Rengifo added another single, placing runners on first and third with one out.

Jo Adell’s fielder’s choice scored Ward, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 3-2 and bringing O’Hoppe to the plate, representing the potential tying run. Williams fell behind 3-0 in the count before O’Hoppe inexplicably chased a high fastball for the final out.

“I didn’t think he’d be swinging there, to be honest,” Williams admitted. “Kind of did me a favor.”

The escape preserved victory but hardly inspired confidence.

Willims threatens to undo Rodon’s gem

Carlos Rodon delivered another dominant outing that deserved better recognition. The left-hander fired seven shutout innings while allowing just five hits. He struck out 10 batters without issuing a single walk, marking the first time all season the Yankees avoided a walk entirely.

“That’s a heck of a job by Devin to hang in,” Rodón commented. “They made some good swings, and the ninth is a different animal. It’s really hard to get the last three outs of the game.”

Rodón’s resurgence has provided crucial rotation stability while Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman recover from injuries. His May ERA ranks among the American League’s best for starting pitchers, establishing him as a dependable foundation piece.

Yankees’ relief corps remains unsettled

Williams’ latest save hardly resolves the Yankees’ closing situation. Boone appears unlikely to trust him consistently in ninth-inning spots. Weaver, who has handled most closing responsibilities recently, faces his own limitations due to heavy workload concerns.

Other bullpen arms like Tim Hill and Mark Leiter Jr. contribute effectively in setup roles, but the absence of a lockdown closer remains problematic as October approaches.

Williams’ volatility particularly concerns given how crucial dominant late-inning relief becomes during postseason play. His track record suggests capability, but continued inconsistency raises legitimate questions about reliability.

Victory despite the chaos

Tuesday’s win extended several positive trends despite bullpen concerns. The Yankees claimed their fourth consecutive victory and seventh straight series triumph. They’ve captured 15 of their last 19 contests, appearing more balanced than the 2024 World Series participants.

The offense continues producing clutch hits when needed. Starting pitching led by Rodon and reinforced by Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough has been consistently excellent. While the bullpen creates uncertainty, the Yankees keep finding ways to win games.

“We’re showing up every day trying to win and the boys are doing it right now,” Williams observed.

Success continues, but October baseball offers little tolerance for ninth-inning adventures. The Yankees need more than fortunate pop-up outs if they hope to complete last year’s unfinished business.

New York concludes this road trip with one final Angels game before returning home for a crucial series against AL East rival Baltimore. With the division title within reach and postseason positioning taking shape, finding a trustworthy closer — whether Williams, Weaver or another option — becomes increasingly urgent.

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