Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Devin Williams Has A Sharp Answer For Yankees Bullpen Questions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated May 21, 2025 9:32 PM ET

Devin Williams has quietly regained his groove and his confidence. Williams has made six straight scoreless appearances for the New York Yankees in high-leverage situations. He still has not, however, worked his way back into the ninth-inning role the Yankees hoped he would dominate.

But apparently, it doesn’t matter.

“It’s always a question,” Williams told the New York Daily News Tuesday night. “It’s not a thing. If I give up runs in the eighth inning, if I give up runs in the ninth inning, they count the same. It’s the same thing.”

Williams was asked — again — about reclaiming the closer role he lost during a rocky April. And again, he shrugged it off.

“I’m putting up zeros, right?” he said. “It doesn’t matter right now.”

It’s the right thing to say, and maybe it’s true.

Williams performance lately has spoken for itself.

After a rocky start that saw his ERA balloon to 10.03 over his first 14 appearances, Williams has recently shown signs of returning to form. In his last six outings, he's delivered scoreless innings, highlighted by a dominant performance against the Mets where he struck out Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos, and Brandon Nimmo in order.

Statcast data reveals that Williams' signature changeup, known as the "Airbender," is regaining its effectiveness, with improved movement and deception. His fastball velocity has also stabilized, averaging around 93.6 mph and topping out at 96.8 mph . These adjustments have contributed to a resurgence in his strikeout rate, which now stands at 28.2% over 17 innings pitched .

But the Yankees aren’t rushing to make a change.

Manager Aaron Boone was clear: “No plans right now” to move Williams back into the closer spot. Luke Weaver has handled the ninth well since taking over and has earned Boone’s trust. The bullpen roles are clicking. There’s little incentive to shift anything.

Still, the Yankees didn’t trade away Nestor Cortes, Jr., and a prospect for a setup man. Williams may not want to say it, but his value heading into free agency next winter depends on him being a closer.

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

More must-reads: