The Milwaukee Brewers have received a significant uplift with the return of their star closer, Devin Williams. Making his long-awaited comeback, Williams was activated off the 60-day injured list after an extended absence due to stress fractures in his back, sustained during spring training.
Returning to the mound in Sunday's crucial victory over the Miami Marlins, Williams was directly thrust into action, tasked with safeguarding a four-run lead in the ninth inning. Despite some signs of rust—allowing a single and a walk—Williams struck out one batter and completed his assignment with a total of 24 pitches.
"I don’t like sitting on the bench. I don’t like being in the dugout. It’s not for me," Williams candidly shared. "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' return couldn't have been more timely for the Brewers. The 30-year-old pitcher has established himself as an essential part of the team's bullpen. From 2021 to 2023, Williams maintained an impressive 1.97 ERA, coupled with a formidable 38.7% strikeout rate. These statistics underscore his impact and effectiveness as a shutdown reliever. Further confirmation of his talent came in the form of back-to-back All-Star honors in 2022 and 2023, as well as the prestigious NL Rookie of the Year award in 2020.
During Williams' rehabilitation stint in the minor leagues, he struck out six batters over four scoreless innings, demonstrating his readiness to rejoin the major league roster.
In Williams' absence, Trevor Megill commendably took up the closer role. He converted 20 out of 22 save opportunities and finished his tenure with a solid 2.41 ERA, racking up 40 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings. While Megill's performance was instrumental in steadying the ship, Williams' return injects a proven anchor back into the bullpen.
The Brewers have also made moves to reinforce their pitching staff, acquiring pitcher Nick Mears in a three-team trade involving the Colorado Rockies. Mears comes with a 5.56 ERA and a WHIP of 1.50, indicating he might need some refinement to be an effective contributor.
As the Brewers celebrate Williams' return and the win over the Marlins, they also extend their lead in the NL Central to six games, improving their season record to 60-45. They now stand just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the No. 2 seed in the National League.
In a corresponding move, the Brewers designated Janson Junk for assignment, showcasing their intent to streamline and strengthen their roster for the final stretch of the season.
With Williams back on the mound, the Brewers' bullpen looks ready to tackle the challenges ahead. His return not only reinforces their pitching roster but also brings back a sense of stability and prowess that has been synonymous with his presence over the past few seasons.