New York acquired Williams in December, sending starter Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee in a deal to bolster an already strong bullpen. A two-time All-Star with one of the most unhittable changeups in the game, called the “Airbender”, Williams was expected to anchor the ninth.

Unlike Clay Holmes getting pulled from the closer's role last September, the Yankees expect Devin Williams will return to closing games at some point this season.