Devin Williams’s struggles on the mound have continued to hurt the New York Yankees as the team suffered another defeat on Friday, losing 5-3 to the Houston Astros. Once an NL Reliever of the Year, Williams’s recent performances have fueled growing frustration, as his difficulties have contributed significantly to the Yankees’ slide, highlighting his Devin Williams Yankees struggles.
This loss marked the Yankees’ sixth defeat in their last seven outings, with Williams playing a central role in at least three of those games. Earlier this month, on August 4, Williams allowed a game-tying home run to Joc Pederson, and he followed that by conceding two runs in the eighth inning the very next day. On Friday, his latest costly run came in the 10th inning against Houston, further injuring New York’s chances.
After the game, Williams candidly reflected on his poor form, acknowledging that nothing seemed to be clicking for him right now.
“Not making pitches. It’s pretty simple. I stink right now. … I’m not gonna say it’s as high as it’s ever been, obviously not the way things have been going. … I just need to put some good ones together and get the ball rolling in the right direction.” —Devin Williams, Pitcher
Despite his honesty, Williams did not provide a clear explanation for the root causes of his struggles. Meanwhile, many Yankees fans are voicing their opinion that he should be optioned to the minors to regain his form and relieve the team’s bullpen burden.
Manager’s Perspective on Using Williams in a Critical Moment
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has repeatedly trusted Williams in crucial situations, even amid his recent failures. On Friday, Boone once again brought Williams into a high-pressure scenario during the 10th inning. After the game, Boone explained that his bullpen options were very limited, which is why he turned to Williams despite the risks.
“We’re kind of short down there at that point,” Boone said via YahooSports.com. —Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
The scarcity of relievers in the bullpen is evident. David Bednar, for example, was unavailable after throwing 42 pitches in the team’s win on Wednesday. Furthermore, the rest of the bullpen was heavily taxed throughout Friday’s game, leaving few alternatives for Boone.
As tensions rise, it remains unclear whether the Yankees will respond to fan demands to designate Williams for assignment (DFA) or if he can regain his form and cement his place in the pitching staff. This pivotal decision is bound to influence the team’s performance in the coming weeks.
Yankees supporters and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Boone chooses stability or a roster shake-up, as Williams’s ongoing Devin Williams Yankees struggles loom over the team’s postseason hopes.