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.

Williams has an 11.25 ERA with nearly as many walks (seven) as strikeouts (eight) in eight innings over 10 appearances. The right-hander has allowed at least three earned runs three times this season, matching his total from the previous six years combined.

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.