Yankees remove Devin Williams from closer role 'for right now'

Struggling New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams temporarily has been removed from the team's closer role, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday prior to the Yankees' doubleheader with the Toronto Blue Jays.

"He's still got everything to be great, right? This is a guy that is in the prime of his career and he's just going through it a little bit," Boone said. "I tell our players all the time, you make a career that's long enough and you're going face some challenging moments. You're going to face some adversity along the way. And good news for Devin is he's got everything to get through this and come out better on the other side. And that's my expectation.

"But, for right now, I think it's best for everyone that we pull him out of that role and try and start building some good rhythm and confidence and momentum and fully expect him to be a central figure for us moving forward."

Williams, 30, owns an 11.25 ERA in 10 games and has surrendered 10 earned runs in his first season in New York.

A two-time All-Star and two-time National League Trevor Hoffman Award winner, Williams was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in December for Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.

Luke Weaver, who became the Yankees closer in the final month of last season, will receive the majority of the reps in the ninth inning in place of Williams.

Williams' latest troubles occurred on Friday. The Blue Jays scored three runs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 victory over the Yankees.

Alejandro Kirk hit a two-run double off Williams, who fell behind each of the three hitters he faced without getting an out.

Kirk's hit gave Williams his first blown save, though the right-hander has been shaky this season and was pulled from a non-save chance on April 9 in Detroit.

"I think the biggest thing for a guy as good as he is, as good as his track record is, and where he is from an age standpoint in the prime of his career, it's just about, I think, man, having it start to click, getting in a good rhythm and then off we go," Boone said.

Williams is 27-12 with 72 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 251 career relief appearances with the Brewers and Yankees.

--Field Level Media