Yankees remove Devin Williams from closer role

The obvious became reality.

Devin Williams has been removed as the Yankees closer, Aaron Boone announced Sunday morning.

Luke Weaver will get the majority of the save opportunities, but Boone noted that he has the option to use other relievers in that role depending on game situations.

Williams, acquired from Milwaukee in December for Nestor Cortes, is 0-2 with a blown save, an 11.25 ERA, and 2.38 WHIP. Opponents are hitting .343 off of the 30-year-old righty who has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) in eight innings.

He has allowed 12 hits and seven walks.

In his last outing, Friday night’s 4-2 series opening loss to the Blue Jays, Williams surrendered three runs on two hits and did not record an out before being replaced by Mark Leiter Jr. Following the game, he acknowledged, “Nothing’s working right now.”

“He’s just going through it a little bit and it happens,” Boone said. “As I tell you guys, I tell the players all the time, ‘If you make a career out of this long enough, you’re going to face some challenging moments. You’re going to face some adversity along the way.’ The good news for Devin is that 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, it’s best for everyone that we pull him out of that role and just try and start building some good rhythm and confidence and momentum and fully expect him to be a central figure for us moving forward.”

In what role is unclear, though. Boone said there is “no specific role,” for Williams when asked how the reliever would be used. “Just trying to get him in the best spots to be successful and stack those.”