The New York Yankees have been without their All-Star closer since Tuesday, but for a very special reason—he’s been away from the mound to be with his family for the birth of his child. The player was placed on the paternity list, experiencing one of life’s most memorable moments.
While the Yankees may miss his powerful changeup, some things are simply more important than baseball.
Who’s Closing in His Absence?
In his absence, the Yankees had planned to rely on Luke Weaver for ninth-inning duties. However, the only opportunity the team had to use a closer during this time came in Tuesday’s eighth inning, when they squandered a comfortable lead—something Weaver could have prevented had he not been saved for the ninth inning.
Of course, neither Weaver nor the absent player can be blamed for that outcome.
Returning Just in Time for Pittsburgh
The player in question is none other than All-Star closer Devin Williams. He will miss the Yankees’ series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday but is expected to rejoin the team in time for their next series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Williams will be back in uniform soon, with insider Bryan Hoch sharing on X, “Devin Williams (paternity list) is expected to rejoin the Yankees tomorrow in Pittsburgh, Aaron Boone said.”
A Key Piece in the Yankees’ Championship Hopes
Williams arrived in the Bronx this past offseason as part of a significant trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, where the Yankees sent lefty Nestor Cortes and prospect Calen Durbin to acquire the elite closer. The trade was made to strengthen the bullpen and help secure a deep postseason run.
However, with Williams set to hit free agency after the World Series, there’s extra urgency for both Williams to prove himself in New York and for the Yankees to maximize his impact while they can.
A Bumpy Start, But the Track Record is Impressive
Williams has made only one appearance so far in 2025, debuting on Opening Day against his former team, the Brewers. It wasn’t his best outing—he allowed a run on two hits and a walk—but he still secured the save with two key strikeouts.
That performance, while a bit shaky, is unlikely to be the norm. Williams boasts a stellar career ERA of 1.87, and even in an injury-shortened 2024 season, he posted a remarkable 1.25 ERA.
With Williams’ return, the Yankees’ bullpen regains one of the most dominant late-inning arms in the game, and with the Pirates series on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better.
