The Yankees are giving Devin Williams every chance to lock down the closer role, but his leash isn’t endless. With Fernando Cruz emerging as a reliable late-inning option, New York has a strong backup plan in place.
Fans who saw Cruz in Spring Training might be surprised by his turnaround. The 35-year-old right-hander stayed composed despite early struggles in Florida and used the time to tweak his mechanics with bullpen coach Mike Harkey. By easing the effort in his delivery, Cruz says he’s improved his fastball control — and the numbers back him up. He’s racked up 19 strikeouts in just 12 innings, making him one of the Yankees’ most effective relievers.
Meanwhile, Williams has stumbled out of the gate. His ERA sits at 9.00 over eight appearances, and he was on the mound for a disastrous ninth-inning collapse against the Rays. Though he wasn’t hit particularly hard, he still blew a four-run lead.
Despite his early struggles, the Yankees are showing patience with Williams, given his past success and tendency to start seasons slowly. His signature “airbender” pitch hasn’t been fooling hitters the way it usually does, but the team hopes it’s just a matter of time before he finds his rhythm.
Luke Weaver might be the next logical candidate if Williams continues to falter. He’s off to a strong start in 2025, even with a slight dip in velocity. Still, the Yankees value his current role as a multi-inning weapon. Having someone like Weaver who can handle high-leverage spots early or late in games is a huge asset, and using him more often could boost the bullpen’s overall effectiveness.
If a closer switch becomes necessary, Cruz is the most likely candidate. While he doesn’t offer the same flexibility as Weaver, he excels in short stints — the perfect setting for his devastating splitter to shine.
Another name to watch is Jonathan Loaisiga, who’s working his way back from injury. He recently faced live hitters and is set to begin a rehab assignment soon. If he regains his top form, he could also be a candidate to close, though his durability has been a question mark in recent years.
Yankees Injury Updates:
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DJ LeMahieu: Could begin a rehab stint soon, possibly with Double-A Somerset.
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Marcus Stroman: Playing catch; team hopes his IL stay is brief.
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Jonathan Loaisiga: Threw live BP and progressing toward a return.
From a big-picture perspective, the Yankees’ bullpen depth is encouraging. Cruz’s rise and Weaver’s strong performance give them a solid setup crew — the challenge now is solidifying the ninth inning.
The ideal scenario is Williams regaining his All-Star form and putting the closer debate to rest. He was acquired to be the shutdown finisher. If he can’t claim that role soon, it could reflect poorly on GM Brian Cashman. On the flip side, acquiring Cruz for a minimal cost may end up being one of Cashman’s best recent moves. Every dominant outing from Cruz only turns up the heat on Williams to bounce back — and fast.
