NEW YORK (AP) — Devin Williams was relieved of his duties as the Yankees’ closer following a series of missteps in his initial 10 games with the team. Manager Aaron Boone disclosed the decision on Sunday, two days after the two-time All-Star squandered a ninth-inning lead, resulting in a 4-2 defeat to Toronto.

“Given the recent outcomes, it’s not entirely surprising,” Williams remarked after the Yankees’ sweep of the Blue Jays in a doubleheader. “Being a closer is a role you must continuously earn, and I haven’t been doing that lately.” Luke Weaver, who stepped in as closer last September when Clay Holmes struggled, will now have most of the chances to close tight games, having secured the final three outs in a 5-1 victory in the nightcap.

Weaver has not conceded a run in 14 innings over 12 appearances, limiting hitters to a .067 average (3 for 45). “You never want to witness such changes,” Weaver commented. “You hope for everyone to excel in all aspects of the game.” Acquired from Milwaukee in December in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, Williams is 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA and four saves in five tries, allowing his first batter to reach base in half of his outings.

“I believe it’s beneficial for everyone to remove him from that position and attempt to build some positive rhythm, confidence, and momentum,” Boone stated. Williams will now appear in less critical situations. “It’s disappointing,” he admitted. “You work for years to reach that point, and having it taken away is not enjoyable, though I can’t argue it’s undeserved.” Williams was booed just 18 pitches into his Yankees tenure when he allowed the Brewers to load the bases with no outs before securing a 4-2 opening day win.

“When I arrived here in 2003 at the trade deadline, Mariano Rivera was getting booed in August. It was unbelievable,” Boone recalled. “There’s likely some shock to that—like, okay, settle in, he’s with a new team in a new setting. That’s part of it. My reminder to him is that he has all the tools to perform at an elite level.” Boone informed Williams of his decision on Saturday, when the Yankees were rained out. “He’s still equipped to be excellent, right?

This guy is in his prime and is just having a rough patch,” Boone noted. “I tell our players frequently, if you have a long enough career, you will face challenging moments and adversity.” Williams was one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors with the Brewers from 2019-24, with a 1.83 ERA, 68 saves in 78 opportunities, an average of 14.39 strikeouts per nine innings, and a .156 opponents’ batting average. His strikeouts have fallen to 9.0 per nine innings with a .343 opponents’ batting average this season.

Batters had a .097 average against his changeup, known as the “Airbender,” last year but are hitting .273 against it this season. Batters are connecting at a .462 rate against his fastball, up from .111. “It’s just about having conviction in my actions on the mound and the pitches and sequences we’re using,” Williams said. Weaver gained insight into the closer role last year, going 4 for 4 in save opportunities in September and 4 for 7 in the postseason.

“It’s intense, but you kind of embrace it,” he mentioned. “You discover who you really are out there, whether you thrive under pressure, or if it intensifies the stress. It tests your mental fortitude.” Luis Gil has started a throwing program AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, sidelined since Feb. 28 due to a high-grade lat strain, began his throwing regimen on Sunday. “An important step in the recovery process,” Boone acknowledged.

Gil is on the 60-day injured list, with a possible return in June or later. Jonathan Loáisiga begins rehab assignment After undergoing internal brace elbow surgery on April 12 last year, 30-year-old right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga threw 11 pitches, striking out one in a flawless sixth inning on Saturday for Class A Tampa against Dunedin. This was Loáisiga’s first rehab appearance, and he may rejoin the Yankees by late May or June.

DJ LeMahieu to start playing third in minors Veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu, who strained his left calf in his spring training debut on March 1, made his fourth rehab appearance on Sunday for Double-A Somerset, going 6 for 10 with a double and a homer. He has been playing second base and will transition to third next week.