New York Yankees closer Devin Williams faced another difficult night on Monday during an 8-5 extra innings defeat to the Texas Rangers, underscoring a growing concern about his performance. Williams’ continued struggles as the Yankees’ closer have raised questions about whether manager Aaron Boone should consider appointing a new pitcher to the role.
Williams surrendered a critical solo home run to Rangers pinch hitter Joc Pederson, who connected on an 83 mph changeup thrown over the center of the plate, sending the ball 408 feet to right field. This blown save marked the third of Williams’ challenging season.
Yankees Fall in Extra Innings Amid Pitching Woes
The game concluded shortly after Williams’ home run allowed Pederson to pull New York into a tie, as the Rangers secured victory in the bottom of the 10th when third baseman Josh Jung hit a three-run homer off Jake Bird, a recent addition from the trade deadline.
Williams’ struggles have been a persistent issue this season. He currently holds a 5.10 earned run average and has let two consecutive save chances slip away, including allowing a two-run homer in a crucial loss to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the week.
Background and Performance Decline Since Joining the Yankees
The Yankees acquired Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in December 2024, trading left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash in exchange. While Williams made a name for himself as an elite reliever with the Brewers, his time with the Yankees has been marked by inconsistency and diminished effectiveness.
This season, Williams has given up 24 earned runs over 42.1 innings. By contrast, during the 2022 to 2024 span with Milwaukee, he allowed only 26 earned runs in 141 innings pitched, highlighting a clear drop in performance since his trade.
Inconsistent Performance Plagues Closer Role
Williams’ inability to maintain steady form has become a liability. In his first 12 appearances, he posted a 0-2 record with four saves but also allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings and suffered one blown save. Though his May numbers showed some improvement with a 4.50 ERA, and June offered a glimpse of his former strength allowing just one earned run over nearly 10 innings, he fell back into poor form by July, ending the month with a 5.73 ERA across 11 innings.
His recent blown save attempt in August signals that difficulties may continue this month, preventing New York from feeling confident in relying on him during critical game moments.
Yankees’ Recent Moves Suggest Searching for New Closing Options
During the trade deadline last Thursday, the Yankees added relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird to bolster their bullpen. Although all three have had mixed starts, Bednar and Doval are especially viewed as potential candidates for closing games moving forward.
With the team’s current four-game losing streak and a drop to third place in the American League East, relying on Williams presents too great a risk. The inconsistency demonstrated so far resembles a game of Russian roulette, which the Yankees can ill afford amid their playoff push.
Implications for Yankees’ Season and Leadership Decisions
The ongoing difficulties experienced by Devin Williams as the Yankees’ closer highlight a critical crossroads for New York’s management. Giving the closing role to one of the newer relievers could stabilize the bullpen and restore confidence in late-game situations. For a team that has shown ambition to compete strongly in the AL East, resolving its closer dilemma remains an urgent issue.