Devin Williams Expected To Return "In The Next Few Days"
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said on Friday that closer Devin Williams (back) is expected to come off the 60-day injured list "in the next few days." Williams missed the entire first half of the 2024 season due to multiple stress fractures in his back, but he's worked his way back and is now on the cusp of rejoining Milwaukee's bullpen. While the 29-year-old could be eased back into high-leverage situations at the end of the game, he's fully expected to return to full-time closing duties in Milwaukee when the club feels he's ready. It means that fantasy managers that have been riding Trevor Megill all year are going to have to move in another direction soon. Williams was an All-Star in each of the last two years for the Brew Crew while posting a stingy 1.73 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, 51 saves and a 183:58 K:BB in 119 1/3 innings. If he's on your league's waiver wire, grab him ASAP.
Devin Williams To Start Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, according to the team. Williams threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and has now been cleared to start a rehab assignment as he works his way back from two stress fractures in his back. The 29-year-old right-handed reliever has been out all year and probably isn't going to rejoin Milwaukee's bullpen right away after next week's All-Star break, but he's certainly getting close to making his 2024 debut. However, barring a setback, Williams could come off the 60-day injured in late July and will be eased back into regular closing duties for the Brew Crew. The two-time All-Star should be stashed in all fantasy leagues. In the meantime, Trevor Megill will continue to serve as Milwaukee's fill-in closer.
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) threw to live hitters for the first time on Tuesday before the team's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. A pretty serious back issue has kept Williams out the entire first half of the 2024 season. However, the 29-year-old right-handed reliever is making good progress after he resumed throwing off a mound in late June and is on track to return from the 60-day injured list near the end of July, barring a setback. The last step for Williams will be going on a minor-league rehab assignment eventually. If he's floating around on your waiver wire, scoop him up immediately and stash him in an IL spot, as Williams will eventually return to being Milwaukee's primary closer. Until then, Trevor Megill should continue to see most of the Brewers' save chances.
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams (back) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Saturday. The 29-year-old reportedly felt great during his first bullpen session. The hope is that Williams can progress to a live batting practice session, assuming this bullpen session goes well. It sounds like Williams is making progress but is still a few weeks away from pitching again. The expectation is that Williams will return to the Brewers bullpen shortly after the All-Star break.
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said that closer Devin Williams (back) could return from the 60-day injured list earlier than mid- to late-July. Williams is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday for the first time since being shut down in spring training with multiple stress fractures in his back. The 29-year-old right-handed reliever will need multiple bullpen sessions and will also need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so there's no guarantee that he'll make his 2024 debut before the All-Star break in mid-July. Still, he's getting closer to game action and should be stashed in all fantasy leagues in the meantime. Once he's back up to speed, he'll eventually regain regular closing duties in Milwaukee. Until then, expect Trevor Megill to get most of the Brewers' save chances.
Devin Williams To Start Throwing Off A Mound This Week
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) has a mound session on the schedule for Wednesday before the club's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers. That keeps him on track to be pitching in the major leagues sometime in late July if all goes well, considering it's set to be the most significant step forward in Williams' throwing progression to this point in his recovery from stress fractures in his back. The 29-year-old right-hander won the Trevor Hoffman Award as the best closer in the National League with 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA for the Brewers last year, so he needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. In the meantime, the flame-throwing Trevor Megill has saved 15 games with a 1.93 ERA and 28:7 K:BB over 25 appearances for Milwaukee and should be rostered in all formats.
Devin Williams To Start Playing Catch Within Next Two Weeks
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) is scheduled to start playing catch within the next two weeks, according to manager Pat Murphy. Williams has a checkup with a doctor for his back injury in the coming days. The Brewers' bullpen took a big hit when it was announced that the 29-year-old All-Star closer wouldn't be ready to make his 2024 debut until around the All-Star break due to a serious back issue that has been bothering him for a while. The good news is that Williams appears to be making progress. Given how elite he's been as a closer when healthy, he should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe have been called on in a few save situations, but as of right now, Trevor Megill is the favorite for saves in Milwaukee with Williams still out of the picture.
Devin Williams Hopes To Return Around All-Star Break
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) is still hoping to return around the All-Star break in July, according to general manager Matt Arnold. Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back in the middle of March and was estimated to be out for around three months, which would put him back in the middle of the summer, barring any setbacks once he begins ramping up his arm. The 29-year-old All-Star closer has a long ways to go before returning as Milwaukee's closer, but he should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy leagues until then. Abner Uribe has opened the year as the Brewers' preferred closer with Williams out and has allowed three earned runs in his first five innings of 2024 with three walks and five strikeouts while picking up three saves.
Brewers Won't Name A Defined Closer To Fill In For Devin Williams
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) is expected to miss around three months due to stress fractures in his back. General manager Matt Arnold said he would leave the decision up to manager Pat Murphy and his staff as to who will be the team's closer while Williams is sidelined. Abner Uribe, as well as Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill, seem to be the most obvious replacements for save chances, though none of the trio has had much big-league closing experience. Murphy said he has no intentions of naming one defined closer unless one naturally emerges during the season. While Uribe has the most natural stuff to be a closer, Payamps should also be in the mix, and this could end up being a total committee approach. Payamps feels like the best speculation for fantasy managers scrounging for saves late in deep-mixed drafts.
Devin Williams Expected To Miss Three Months With Stress Fractures
Milwaukee Brewers star closer Devin Williams (back) has two stress fractures in his back and is expected to miss around three months, according to sources. Williams pitched through back soreness last September, but it returned this spring. He will rehab and is expected to return by midseason. The top fantasy closer will now miss at least half the season, which will obviously cause his stock to drop considerably for those who have yet to draft for the 2024 season. The 29-year-old right-hander saved 36 games for the Brew Crew in 40 chances last year while also posting an elite 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 87 strikeouts and 28 walks in 58 2/3 innings pitched. It's a massive blow to the back end of Milwaukee's bullpen before the start of the season. Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe could all be options for saves in Milwaukee with Williams hurt.
