Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. This has already become an early season routine for Aaron Boone. On multiple occasions, the Yankees manager has been forced to defend Devin Williams the All-Star closer acquired in the offseason and adamantly guarantee that Williams, despite what his 10.03 ERA and lost closer job might suggest, remains close to figuring everything out. And Tuesday, in the eighth inning of an eventual lo s, was no different. I still maintain, like, this is not a pitcher were trying to reinvent or a guy thats past his prime, Boone said before the in The Bronx on Tuesday. This is still an elite [pitcher], and all the stuff there is saying that. I do feel like its very close. Its just about controlling counts a little bit better, and once he does, hell ascend real quick. When asked if Williams crumbling Monday reset the clock for when he could return to the closer spot, a role that has since been occupied by Luke Weaver, Boone said he didnt think so. Explore More Devin Williams delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during his latest poor outing in the Yankees lo s to the Padres on May 5, 2025. Corey Sipkin / New York Post It wasnt as if Williams who went strikeout, walk, single, strikeout, walk before handing off to Weaver with the bases loaded Monday surrendered homers and other damaging hits. But this Antonius Cleveland Jersey has stretched beyond just a brief concern for the Yankees. This has become more than just isolated late-game drama in the season opener or a one-off collapse over the course of a 60-appearance campaign. Devin Williams walks off the mound after being taken out of the game by Aaron Boone during the Yankees lo s to the Padres on May 5, 2025. Corey Sipkin / New York Post After Boone temporarily yanked him from the closer role, Williams responded with three straight scorele s and hitle s outings entering Monday. That resembled the version of the pitcher who made consecutive All-Star Games in 2022 and 2023, and was supposed to anchor the Yankees bullpen late in games this season. That looked more like the version of Williams who could dictate games by mixing his fastball and Airbender changeup. I feel like the last few, its been good, Boone said. And again, I dont feel like its a situation where hes all over the place. Its just mi sing a little out of the zone with his fastball. CHECK OUT THE AND Still, the Yankees dilemma at the end of games has stretched into a second week. The Yankees have time to get Williams into a groove, unlike last year when their Clay Holmes conundrum boiled over in the final stretch of the regular season. Boone will continue to find high-leverage spots and preferably clean innings like Monday, when the Yankees needed to protect a three-run lead and the Padres had the bottom of their order up to position Williams for a chance at creating some momentum. For three games, that worked. For three games, it appeared as if the Yankees were on track to get their closer back. Then Monday transpired, and Boone was left to defend Williams once again. Steve Nash Jersey