Aaron Boone Sends Clear Devin Williams Message After Latest Blown Lead

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated May 7, 2025 12:42 PM ET

The Yankees righted the ship with a 12-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, which saw them score 10 runs in the 7th inning, their most in a frame since 2015. Austin Wells hit his first career grand slam, and the Yankees snapped a three-game skid.

Sitting at 20-16, good for first in the American League East, the Yankees rank first in baseball in home runs and OPS.

A big reason for why the Bombers are not more than four games above .500, however, is closer Devin Williams, acquired from the Brewers in the offseason.

Williams has pitched to a 10.03 ERA, and was a big reason for the Yankees squandering a 3-0 lead against the Padres Monday en route to a 4-3 loss.

Prior to the Yankees' dominant win Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone continued to defend the Yankees' big signing.

“I still maintain, like, this is not a pitcher we’re trying to reinvent or a guy that’s past his prime,” Boone said. "I do feel like it’s very close. It’s just about controlling counts a little bit better, and once he does, he’ll ascend real quick.”

Williams was demoted from the closer role April 25th after his three earned runs against the Blue Jays represented another blown lead.

The hope was that Williams would quickly find his footing and regain command over his pitches in a less pressurized role. After all, it's a lot easier to pitch in a small market like Milwaukee than the bright lights of New York.

The demotion hasn't paid off quite yet for Williams, especially after Monday's failed opportunity to give the game over to Luke Weaver with the lead in the 9th.

The Yankees signed Williams with the intention of making him the closer, with Weaver being the set-up man. Weaver was the Yankees' saving grace in 2024, becoming the closer after Clay Holmes was demoted after an MLB-worst 13 saves.

The team continues to be hopeful Williams can turn it around, though there's only so much they can do to help Williams regain his confidence.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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