April 27, 2025
New York Yankees relief pitcher
Devin Williams has been removed from the closer role for now, according to manager Aaron Boone. This news comes a few days after Williams blew a three-run lead to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The Yankees had to make this move given nothing is going right for Williams right now. He holds a 11.25 ERA, allowing 12 hits, 10 earned runs, and has walked seven batters in 10 games. It's best for the Yankees to pull him from the closer role and give him low-leverage situations to build up his confidence. The Yankees haven't named another closer, but the assumption is that
Luke Weaver will be the favorite right now. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help might want to snag Weaver before it's too late. As for Williams, fantasy managers should hold him for now as he'll hopefully return to the closer role after getting back on track.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Michael Kay
April 26, 2025
New York Yankees reliever
Devin Williams allowed three runs on two hits in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not record an out and was tagged with his second loss of the season. The 30-year-old entered Friday's game in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. Williams was shaky right off the bat, allowing a leadoff single to
George Springer, hitting
Andres Gimenez with a pitch, and allowing a two-run double to
Alejandro Kirk. He surrendered an RBI single to
Addison Barger before being removed from the game. Williams was charged with his first blown save of the season and owns an 11.25 ERA, 2.38 WHIP, and eight strikeouts over eight innings. After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if Williams would remain the closer. "We'll see," Boone said when asked if Williams would benefit from moving to lower leverage situations. "We'll kind of talk through this stuff. This is raw right now. We want to do everything we can to get him right because we know how good he is and how valuable he is going to be from us." Williams has struggled and could benefit from temporarily being removed from the closer role until he gets things right.
Luke Weaver would be the biggest beneficiary and handle ninth-inning duties until the Yankees are ready to return to Williams. Fantasy managers searching for saves should add Weaver in all league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martino
April 18, 2025
New York Yankees reliever
Devin Williams pitched a clean inning on Thursday to earn a save in his team's 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The 30-year-old did not allow a hit or free pass and struck out none. It's Williams' fourth save of the season, as he's now down to an inflated 5.14 ERA and 1.86 WHIP with eight strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Though he's been a little shaky this season, the former second-round pick has pitched three straight hitless innings -- collecting three saves over the Yankees' prior four outings. It's mildly concerning that his strikeout rate has dropped nearly 20 points from a season ago, while his walk rate is elevated. However, Williams hasn't compiled an ERA higher than 2.50 since 2021, so he's likely to turn it around soon.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
April 15, 2025
New York Yankees closer
Devin Williams picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 4-1 win over the Royals. Williams came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He allowed a leadoff single to
Bobby Witt Jr., got the first out on a pop-out, allowed a walk, and got the final two outs on another pop-out and a line-out. Things have not gone smoothly for the 30-year-old in his first season with his new team, as he has converted both of his save opportunities but has a 7.20 ERA, seven strikeouts, and six walks in just five innings of work. Williams has been one of fantasy's most reliable relief pitchers throughout his career and was traded for to fill a closing void for the Yankees, so fantasy managers should remain patient with him early on.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
RADIO
