Brewers star closer Devin Williams has been diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN (X link). He’ll be shut down entirely for six weeks and is expected to be out of MLB action for around three months.
It’s a massive hit to the Milwaukee bullpen two weeks before Opening Day. Williams made two appearances this spring before pausing his work as he battled back soreness. He visited a spine specialist this afternoon. That examination revealed the fractures. Fortunately, Passan indicates that Williams is expected to make a full recovery.
That the injury shouldn’t affect Williams throughout his career is a positive, but there’s no question it’s a significant loss for the first half of the upcoming season. The two-time All-Star is among the best relievers in baseball. He has turned in a sub-2.00 ERA in consecutive years, including a sparkling 1.53 mark over 58 2/3 frames last season. Williams shut down 36 games in 40 attempts in his first full campaign as a closer. He rode his patented wiffle ball changeup, the so-called Airbender, to a massive 37.7% strikeout percentage. Williams was named the National League’s Reliever of the Year for the second time in his career.
As is the case with virtually every Milwaukee player approaching free agency, Williams found himself in trade rumors during the offseason. That speculation returned after they dealt Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, but Milwaukee didn’t find a deal to their liking. They elected to keep him at the back of the bullpen instead. Williams should eventually return to the ninth inning, but he’ll now begin the season on the 60-day injured list and will be out of action at least into the middle of June.
It’s unclear if Milwaukee skipper Pat Murphy will go with a committee approach to the ninth inning or pick a defined closer while Williams is on the shelf. If they go the latter route, any of Joel Payamps, Abner Uribe or Trevor Megill could be candidates. Payamps was somewhat quietly one of the more productive relievers in the NL last season. The secondary piece acquired in the William Contreras/Sean Murphy three-team trade, Payamps turned in a 2.55 ERA with plus strikeout, walk and ground-ball numbers across 70 1/3 innings.
Uribe has more traditional closing stuff. One of the hardest throwers in the sport, he averaged a blistering 99.4 MPH on his sinker as a rookie. Uribe turned in a 1.76 ERA behind a 53% grounder percentage and a 30.7% strikeout rate over his first 30 2/3 MLB innings. It’s eye-popping stuff, but his command could keep him out of the ninth inning. Uribe walked more than 15% of opponents last season.
Megill, acquired in a minor trade with the Twins last April, struck out nearly 36% of batters faced as a Brewer. He worked to a 3.31 ERA through 32 2/3 frames. Megill averaged 99.1 MPH on his heater, which he paired with a wipeout curveball in the mid-80s. Having that trio of power arms means Murphy should still have a good relief group with which to work, yet there’s no one who can be expected to replicate the production that Williams posts on an annual basis.
Milwaukee controls Williams via arbitration through the 2025 season. He’s making $7MM this season. Milwaukee has a $10MM option for next year but could retain him in arbitration even if they opt for a $250K buyout instead of the option value. If Williams progresses as expected, he should be back on the mound before the deadline. There’s a chance he’d be a midseason trade candidate if the Brewers unexpectedly fall out of contention in the NL Central, but the offers they receive could be complicated by other teams’ trepidation about the injury.
Unclemike1526
Wow that’s a pretty big blow. Being a Cub fan that’s tough. Never want anybody hurt. Rather just beat them straight up with everybody. Sorry Brew Crew.
Bobcastelliniscat
As a Reds fan, I completely agree. Tough break for fans of the Brew Crew.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Air bender bent out of shape. Devin is amazing. Would have rather seen the Brewers trade him than this happen.
davidk1979
Might as well trade Adames
Buzzz Killington
Might be better off keeping him and trading at the deadline or giving a QO. Really all depends on what they could get for him. I’d definitely at least shop him.
Salzilla
Ooof that blows. Williams is definitely a top three closer in the game. Big loss there. Payamps and Abner next up there, but not close to Williams’ quality.
hiflew
I foresee a major fire sale in Milwaukee around the end of July. I believe their window has closed.
marrtho
Fml
acoss13
Devin is a beast, this is going to hurt. That sucks Brewers fans…
Unclemike1526
Injuries to a teams best players always suck. No matter what team it is. Bad for the fans.
James Midway
Ouch wow multiple fractures.
CravenMoorehead
*Mike Tyson voice*
I BROKE MY BAACK
Yankee Clipper
“You broke your back, Mike? What happened?”
Tyson: “Ith thpinal”
One of the funniest post-fight interviews I ever saw.
CravenMoorehead
Clipper you a real 1 for getting that reference fr fr
YaGottaBelieveAgain
Mike Tyson fight at age 58?
Is this a good idea?
I realize there must be big $ but ?
Yankee Clipper
Honestly, he could probably destroy Jake Paul. But, this is probably publicity and money for both. If you’ve watched any of Tyson’s bag videos he’s still got one hell of a punch. Plus, he’s still pretty quick.
He should hang it up or actually fight, imo.
Unclemike1526
As good as Williams is he’s not the best thing in Wisconsin. The best thing to ever come out of Wisconsin is still Heather Graham. And she proved again this week. LOL
Blue Baron
No. The best thing to come out of Wisconsin is Hassenpfeffer Incorporated.
hiflew
George Foreman won the heavyweight title at 46. I realize 58 is much older, but Jake Paul is not exactly the heavyweight champ either.
WestVillageTiger
Who’s Jake Paul? Is he the dude from Breaking Bad?
CravenMoorehead
Jake Paul is the guy who sells YBC 20 dollar grams of dirt bud with sticks and stems in it
Bobcastelliniscat
Yeah that’s a tough blow…have to wonder if he will ever make it all the way back. I hope he does.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
Sounds painful hope he recovers strong
okinnitram
Airbender is a backbreaker!
Johnny utah
Wtf is happening to pitchers?? Every 5 minutes another star goes down
AL B DAMNED
It’s the Pitch Clock! No time to relax..Not even for a moment…Always stressed out! With teams using below par pitching will not shorten the games..it will make the longer..I guess MLB figured out how to score more runs…Pressure the Pitchers!
LonnieB
This has been happening for years. Progressively getting worse. No fix. Analytics have hitters better than ever requiring pitchers better than ever. The human body wasn’t built to throw triple digit heat and airbenders for 6+ months per year. Atleast they get paid the big bucks though!
CardsFan57
I think the obsession with increasing spin rates is the biggest cause of injury. Violently snapping off every pitch has consequences.
WestVillageTiger
I’ve never seen so many guys trying to throw 100+ in Spring Training before. Ever!
hiflew
The same thing that happens every single year that causes someone to ask this question. Some people have the memory of a fish.
JazzJazz
Per Jeff Passan: “Williams’ back issues started in September but he pitched through them. Williams took a month off before starting his offseason program. His back flared up during his first bullpen session and required treatment.”
In other words, the Brewers’ medical staff is negligent and/or incompetent.
Johnny utah
He didnt say anything for 6 months while his back hurt and he experienced spasms? Dont teams check in with their guys “hey you good?” Alot of these injuries are so avoidable
JazzJazz
Good questions, Johnny Provo.
JazzJazz
Johnny: In fact, teams should be running physicals on all 40-man players every month throughout the winter.
mlb1225
Dang, two back stress fractures. Hope that doesn’t leave any long term affects, even after he recovers.
solaris602
Mr Breslow! Hey, what kind of return are you looking for in a Kenley Jansen deal?
Mustard Tiger
The Brewers aren’t paying $16 million for a closer. Maybe if the Red Sox paid $15 million of the contract there could be a discussion.
solaris602
With the Red Sox being one of the leaders this winter in the “we’re flat broke” behavior category, I’d be shocked if they even paid it down by $100
LonnieB
Lol Will Smith RP is more in the Brew Crew salary area
Hammerin' Hank
Payamps, Uribe, and Megill are every bit as good or better than Jansen at this point in his career. Uribe has closer-of-the-future written all over him.
User 4204968895
John Henry might want to get real soon and think about paying at least half of Jansen’s contract to get something back for him. Half of $16 mill = $8 mill in savings. The Red Sox holding on to a 36 year old closer is ridiculous right now.
Hopefully Breslow is good at explaining math to his boss, but I’m not entirely sure what Craig is good at so far.
johnrealtime
I’m not sure they would find someone even willing to pay 8 mil for Jansen at this point
10centBeerNight
Damn. Heal up fella. Suddenly this rash of arms going down
Just a Bit Outside the Front Row
I hate to see Williams go down but we have to have the next man up mentality. DL Hall, Uribe, or someone else needs to grab this opportunity. This opens the door for Gasser to replace Hall in the rotation or get Lorenzen or Clevenger. Looks like Matt Arnold’s work isn’t done.
iron
Uribe will eventually take the job and maybe do so well that when Williams proves healthy can be dealt.
kripes-brewers
Agreed. Uribe has scary talent. Williams like to walk two dudes before he strikes out the side anyway, lol. Gives me cardiac arrest! Seriously, wish him a solid recovery and quick return. Great pitcher and competitor.
Hammerin' Hank
Closers are overrated anyway. Any good flame-throwing reliever can close. They’re more important in 5×5 fantasy leagues.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Or Joel payamps, the guy the Brewers got as a throw in on the Murphy/contreras trade from the Athletics. The Brewers used their voodoo magic they have for relievers and made him borderline elite!
baseballteam
Gee Willickers!
AL B DAMNED
Cease and Desist!
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Maybe they should have had the WBC again this year, there weren’t THIS many injuries that came out of it by last year at this time.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Two weeks to go I predict another fourteen major injuries will go down before Opening Day. Shall I hand out the bingo cards??
Mike56
Hate this for Devin. As a Cards fan hate to see it. Maybe one of top relievers in baseball and a young man from St Louis. Tough break for Brew Crew. Heal up Devon and see you in second half of season.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Last year, it was Edwin Diaz. Now it’s Williams. This sucks!
VonPurpleHayes
Completely shifts the NL Central Power Rankings for me.
TellItGoodbye
Sorry Brewers fans. All these injuries are such a bummer for the game as a whole.
Ezpkns34
I’d be scared to even go to a Brewers game based on their constant injuries
GarryHarris
How did he break his back?
Only he knows the truth.
808sAndMetsHeartbreaks
stress related stuff like that just..happens. I’ve had the same injury for over a year now from pitching and that’s the best way I can describe it. sometimes the rotation/twisting and turning just hits something the wrong way and bang there goes 3 months
The Big Yo
Oakland A’s need to jump on two options right now. Trade them Mason Miller for 2 prospects or give them one of their above average relievers for a big bopper
This one belongs to the Reds
There goes his trade value.
Feel for the guy with that injury.
stymeedone
Osuna anyone?
pmollan
Let the Uribe Era begin! Opportunity is knocking and he can grab hold of the job he’s destined to assume. Williams may never close for the Brew Crew again.
Hammerin' Hank
Heck yeah!
egrossen
Fernando Rodney anyone?
Joirgro 2
Throwing in a long shot – J.B Bukauskas, first round pick who failed as a starter. In very limited time with the Brewers has excelled in the bullpen.
808sAndMetsHeartbreaks
I been out of commission with the same exact injury for over a year but he’s yet another person I’ve read about that is back within 2-4 months man wtf
YankeesBleacherCreature
Hope you get well soon! Back injuries are horrible. Most of us can’t afford to spend 24 hours rehabbing, resting, eating the best, and receiving top medical care.
lesterdnightfly
Hank Bauer would make more sense.
Tom the ray fan
Must not have avoided the walking in the cracks
User 4204968895
Bauer hasn’t pitched in relief in 7 years. As a starter, he’s won more than 12 games once. He also chokes women unconscious in his spare time, yet we continue to read his name endlessly under every pitcher story on this site.
Treehouse22
Burnes gone. Woodruff out long term. Williams out now. This sucks. These are three of the most formidable dudes in the show. Can’t imagine the Crew without these dudes. Next man up time. Good luck to the Crew.
harrycarey
Wondering why Counsell didn’t stick around? What did he know late last year?
Cactus Jack
D.L. Hall
SODOMOJO
Interesting.
SODOMOJO
NOOOOOOO my dynasty closer. First I’m hearing of this. I am so bummed
MKE17
I feel like we are forgetting that the Brewers have a tremendous ability of managing their pitching staff. They’ll make the best out of what they have better than anyone and what they have is some tremendous raw talent in Uribe and Hall.. There will be bumps, but they’ll figure it out as they always do. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this be the year where the Brewers turn it on offensively and provide a little support to the bullpen. Don’t sleep on Milwaukee.
holycow16
Zzzzzzzzz…….