Yankees Manager Confirms Devin Williams’ New Bullpen Assignment

Devin Williams isn’t the New York Yankees’ closer anymore. But that just means the heavy lifting begins for Williams, pitching coach Matt Blake and manager Aaron Boone. They have to balance working on rebuilding him and his confidence with using him enough to justify carrying him on the roster.

Before Monday’s game in Baltimore, Boone explained how the Yankees intend to use Williams after he was demoted. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes the ball from relief pitcher Devin Williams during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.Brad Penner-Imagn Images"The game kind of calls for (when)," Boone told reporters.



“There’s going to be days where you have certain (relievers unavailable who) have worked a lot. There’ll be some leverage spots that he’s going to be in, and I’m not going to hesitate to go to him. There may be times where he hasn’t worked in a handful of days where I want to get him in there in a specific spot.

”Williams’ struggles in the ninth forced the Yankees to rethink their late-inning structure. Luke Weaver will pick up save chances while Williams works to stabilize himself.Boone said the team remains confident in the right-hander’s long-term ability, even as they have to adjust how they use him.

"I think he’s ready to compete and take the ball," Boone said. “The biggest thing is even though he’s going through it — and it’s not easy when you’re trying to figure things out — I think he knows at his core how good he is. I’ve reminded him of that, but he knows.

"Boone, who often draws on his own experiences dealing with struggles as a player, emphasized the mental challenge Williams faces."When you’re in that arena and you’re going through a tough time — and I’ve been there — it’s a hard thing," Boone said. "But you’ve got to fight through it and know you’ll get to the other side.

I’m really confident that he will."Boone was also one of those players who proved he could handle the bright lights of New York. Williams has not.

For now, the Yankees will balance putting Williams in spots where he can succeed and rebuilding his confidence with what the team needs. They believe this reset will help him become the dominant arm they envisioned when they traded for him last winter. Related: Will Devin Williams Join This List of Yankees Who Couldn’t Play in Pinstripes?Related: Aaron Judge Caught Celebrating Birthday With Famous TV Pals.