NEW YORK, N.Y.— They say being a Yankee isn’t for everyone, and early on, Devin Williams gave Bombers fans plenty of reasons to question whether he was cut out for Pinstripes.
Between Opening Day on March 27 and his demotion from the closer role exactly one month later, he posted a dismal 11.25 ERA, struggling to find his footing in the Bronx.
But Williams has shown signs of his usual self lately, lowering his ERA to 4.22 across the month of May. That stretch also featured his best performance in the Bronx yet, striking out the fearsome Padres trio of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts in a 4-3 Yankees win.
Now, although not by choice, Williams looks set to reclaim the closer role as Luke Weaver — whom Aaron Boone favored late in games after Williams’ difficult April — heads to the injured list for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against the Dodgers.
Missing Weaver for such an extended period will certainly hurt, as the rising star has posted video game-like numbers so far this season, allowing just three earned runs in 12 appearances.
However, the opportunity for Williams to reestablish himself as a premier closer could pay dividends for both him and the team, especially if he can recapture the dominant form that made him a two-time NL Reliever of the Year in Milwaukee.
It seems that Williams has reearned the trust of manager Aaron Boone following his poor start to the season, as the Yankees’ skipper recently said that, “I just think he’s commanding the ball and now into the rhythm and flow of the season and has gotten into a good groove.”
Williams likewise acknowledged a regrowing confidence in himself following his aforementioned outing vs. the Padres, saying, “I just feel like myself. Taking ownership of the situation and since then, I’ve pitched with more confidence, continued to do that today.”
Aiming to account for Weaver’s absence, Williams will look to reignite a middling Yankees’ bullpen that also received a recent boost from Jonathan Loáisiga, who has surrendered just one earned run in six appearances since returning from the IL on May 16.
The new-look Yankees bullpen will now face a tough test in a 2024 ALCS rematch, opening a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.