Volpe was the Yankees’ No. 1 draft pick six years ago. Their estimation of him then, as now, is that no single slump will change their projection for a solid future. Besides, as Boone pointed out, those slump numbers are exaggerated by the calendar. It’s only April. This is when stats are slaves to small sample sizes.

Both the fact that Boone and Williams still haven’t spoken and that Boone candidly admitted it is astonishing. Williams, a two-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers, already owns an 11.25 ERA and -0.8 bWAR over eight innings.

With the Yankees leading, 2-1, Williams surrendered a leadoff hit to George Springer, then hit Andres Gimenez in the thigh with a fastball. The next batter, Alejandro Kirk, hammered a double over the head of Trent Grishman ( (to where??)) that scored both runners. That brought an end to Williams’ outing as he was replaced by Mark Leiter Jr.