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Yankees Remove Devin Williams as Closer: “Right Now, It’s Best for Everyone”
NEW YORK, NY (April 27, 2025) – In a surprising move, the New York Yankees have announced that Devin Williams has been removed from his role as closer, effective immediately. The announcement, made by manager Aaron Boone prior to today’s game against the Boston Red Sox, cited performance issues and a need for a change as key factors in the decision.
“This wasn’t an easy choice,” Boone stated. “Devin is a tremendously talented pitcher, but right now, his performance hasn’t been where we need it to be in that ninth-inning role. We feel like it’s best for everyone involved – Devin, the team, and the fans – to make this adjustment.”
Struggles in April Lead to Decision
While Williams possesses undeniable talent, his April performance has been rocky, to say the least. The right-hander has blown two saves in the past week alone, and his ERA has ballooned to 5.87 through the first month of the season. Command issues have plagued him, leading to an uncharacteristic number of walks and home runs. Several sources indicate that his signature “airbender” changeup has also been less effective, losing some of its usual late movement.
“He’s been leaving pitches up in the zone,” one scout observed. “When that happens with a guy who relies on movement like Williams, hitters are going to make him pay.”
Who Will Close Now?
The Yankees haven’t officially named a replacement closer, but several candidates are in the mix. Right-handers Clay Holmes and Scott Effross are considered the frontrunners. Holmes, known for his sinker, has a strong track record of late-inning success and a low walk rate, and has been seen as the likely candidate. Effross, who missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, has returned with impressive velocity and command, making him a dark horse candidate.
Boone declined to name a definitive closer, stating that the team would take a “committee” approach in the short term. “We’ll evaluate the situation on a game-by-game basis and put the guy we feel gives us the best chance to win out there,” he said. “Clay and Scott will certainly be key parts of that equation, but we have other guys in the bullpen who are capable of stepping up.”
Impact on Williams
The move represents a significant setback for Williams, who was acquired by the Yankees in a high-profile trade before the 2024 season to solidify the bullpen. He performed admirably in the setup role last season and was named the closer during the offseason.
The Yankees organization hopes that moving Williams out of the high-pressure closer role will allow him to regain his confidence and refine his command. The team is invested in Williams’ long-term success and believes he can still be a valuable asset to the bullpen.
“We still have a lot of faith in Devin,” Boone emphasized. “This is about getting him back on track. We want him to be the guy we know he can be.”
Broader Implications
The Yankees, currently sitting in second place in the AL East, are under immense pressure to compete for a championship. This move underscores their willingness to make tough decisions early in the season to address potential weaknesses. The decision to remove Williams as closer shows that no one is immune to performance-based evaluations.
The Yankees fan base will be watching closely to see how the bullpen situation unfolds in the coming weeks. The success of the team’s season could very well depend on finding a reliable closer to secure those crucial late-inning victories. The Yanks have a lot of young talent on the roster but, as usual, will need their veterans to step up to be competitive.
Williams removed as Yankees closer: ‘Right now, it’s best for everyone’
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At 2025-04-27 16:55, ‘Williams removed as Yankees closer: ‘Right now, it’s best for everyone” was published according to MLB. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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