The Milwaukee Brewers' Bullpen Gets Major Boost with Devin Williams' Return
In a significant development for the Milwaukee Brewers, All-Star closer Devin Williams has made his much-anticipated return to the mound. Williams, who has been sidelined since spring training with stress fractures in his back, was activated off the 60-day injured list and made his season debut in Sunday’s win over the Miami Marlins.
Williams took the mound to protect a four-run lead in the ninth inning, allowing a single and a walk while striking out one batter over 24 pitches. The 29-year-old reliever, who will turn 30 in September, was visibly thrilled to be back in action. "I don't like sitting on the bench. I don't like being in the dugout. It's not for me. ... It's gratifying to be back to help carry the load. I put in a lot of hard work up to this point over the past couple of months. To be in this position and back on the field, it feels great," Williams said.
Williams' return to the Brewers' bullpen is a major boost for the team. From 2021 to 2023, he maintained an impressive 1.97 ERA and had a staggering 38.7% strikeout rate. His prowess on the mound was acknowledged with All-Star honors in both 2022 and 2023. Notably, Williams also won the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, underlining his importance to the team.
During his minor-league rehab assignment, Williams showed he was back in form by striking out six batters over four scoreless innings. This reassured the Brewers' management and fans alike about his readiness to return to top-level competition.
In Williams' absence, Trevor Megill stepped up as the Brewers' closer and proved to be a reliable replacement. Megill successfully converted 20 of 22 save opportunities and recorded a 2.41 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings. His performance kept the Brewers competitive and allowed them to stay on track in the NL Central race. With Sunday's victory over the Marlins, the Brewers improved their record to 60-45, extending their lead in the NL Central to six games and placing them just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League’s No. 2 seed.
However, change continues to be a part of the Brewers' strategy. The team made a move to acquire pitcher Mears in a three-team trade involving the Colorado Rockies. Mears has a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, and the Brewers will be hoping he can find his form and contribute to the bullpen. In a corresponding move, the Brewers designated Janson Junk for assignment to make room for Williams on the roster.
The Brewers' positioning looks promising as they aim for a deep postseason run. The return of Williams has only bolstered their chances, providing another weapon in their bullpen as they navigate the latter part of the season. Williams’ ability to close out games and fortify the Brewers’ pitching depth will be crucial as they aim to maintain their momentum and challenge for the top seed in the National League.