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Former Yankees Pitcher Flabbergasted by Aaron Boone’s Latest Devin Williams Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 9:43 AM ET

Having split part of his career between the bullpen and starting rotation, we feel comfortable trusting ex-New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain’s judgment on when and when not to use relievers.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone may want to consult Chamberlain, especially after Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. Boone inserted Devin Williams, fresh off blowing a save one night earlier, into a scoreless eighth-inning game.

Williams subsequently allowed two runs, dooming the third-place Yankees to their fifth straight loss.

“My head is still shaking,” Chamberlain wrote on Twitter/X. “Why why why?”

Boone told reporters that he used Williams in the eighth because he’d hoped to have trade deadline acquisition David Bednar pitch the ninth. Never mind that the free-falling Yankees now trail by 6 ½ games in the AL East and are 25-32 since June 1.

10 pitches later...#AllForTX pic.twitter.com/wQh0PODS7h
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 6, 2025

The Yankees are only half a game in front of the Rangers for the AL’s third and final Wild Card spot. A loss on Wednesday afternoon means the Yankees would miss the playoffs if the season ended today.

Williams has a 5.44 ERA in 43 innings, nearly three times the 1.83 ERA he had over six years with the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s already allowed 26 earned runs, the same amount he gave up from 2022-24 combined.

“I HAVE NO WORDS RIGHT NOW…….this is almost unbelievable,” Chamberlain posted during Williams’ latest meltdown.

Chamberlain, a former fan favorite and critical piece of the 2009 World Series team, called Williams’ performance “tough to watch” and openly wondered what the Yankees will do with the veteran closer. The two-time All-Star is a pending free agent, and it’s safe to assume that he likely won’t be back in pinstripes next season.

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

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