Yankees Remove Devin Williams as Closer, Replaced by Luke Weaver, Aaron Boone Says

The New York Yankees plan to remove Devin Williams from his role as the team's closer and instead turn to Luke Weaver, manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday, per ESPN's Jorge Castillo.

Boone said Williams will not be the team's closer "for right now," leaving the door open for his return to the role eventually.

"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 of Williams. "I tell our players all the time, you make a career that's long enough and you're going to 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, whom the Yankees acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in December, has an 11.25 ERA and four saves across eight innings in 10 appearances. The former Rookie of the Year is on pace for career-worst numbers in strikeout rate (18.2%), whiff rate (24.1%) and walk rate (15.9%).

Williams gave up three earned runs in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays last week before giving up three runs in Friday's loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to Castillo, Boone said he won't have a specific role for Williams as he tries to overcome his early struggles.

Amid Williams' struggles, Weaver has thrived to start the year. He's recorded 13 strikeouts with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP in 13 innings across 11 games. He also has a pair of saves. In his second season with New York a year ago, Weaver had career bests in ERA (2.89) and WHIP (0.93), posting a 7-3 record and four saves in 62 appearances.

While Weaver will move primarily into a closer role, Boone said he's still willing to look to the pitcher in high-leverage moments early in games, according to Castillo.

Even with Williams' struggles to start the season, the Yankees sit atop the AL East at 15-11 and have posted the ninth-best bullpen ERA in the majors.