Devin Williams, the Yankees' struggling reliever, has been removed temporarily聽from the team's closer role, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday in advance of his New York's doubleheader with the Toronto Blue Jays.
"For right now, I'm going to take him out of that role," Boone said of Williams, who has an 11.25 ERA in 10 games and has surrendered 10 earned runs in his first season in New York.
A two-time All-Star and two-time National League Trevor Hoffman Award winner, Williams was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in December for Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.
Luke Weaver, who became the Yankees closer in the final month of last season, will receive the majority of the reps in the ninth inning in place of Williams.
Williams' latest troubles occurred on Friday. The Blue Jays scored three runs in the ninth inning of a 4-2 victory over the Yankees.
Alejandro Kirk hit a two-run double off Williams, who fell behind each of the three hitters he faced without getting an out.
Kirk's hit gave Williams his first blown save, though the right-hander has been shaky this season and was pulled from a non-save chance on April 9 in Detroit.
Williams, 30, is 27-12 with 72 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 251 career relief appearances with the Brewers and Yankees.
Marlins demote Gillispie
The Miami Marlins optioned starting pitcher Connor Gillispie to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday and promoted fellow right-hander Luarbert Arias to take his place on the active roster.
Gillispie, 27, posted a 0-3 record with an 8.65 ERA in six starts this season.
That includes Saturday's start at Seattle in which Julio Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco each belted a home run. Gillispie surrendered seven earned runs before being lifted after two innings. His 25 earned runs lead the National League entering Sunday's play.
Arias, 24, made his major-league debut March 31 and threw three scoreless innings against the New York Mets.
He was optioned to Jacksonville after giving up eight earned runs over 3 1/3 innings in his next three appearances to push his ERA to 11.37. He has allowed three runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings for the Jumbo Shrimp.