Devin Williams To Start Playing Catch Within Next Two Weeks
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.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Milwaukee Brewers closer Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Devin Williams Blows Save On Friday, Yankees Make Temporary Move At Closer
Devin Williams allowed three runs on two hits in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not record an out and was tagged with his second loss of the season. The 30-year-old entered Friday's game in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. Williams was shaky right off the bat, allowing a leadoff single to George Springer, hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch, and allowing a two-run double to Alejandro Kirk. He surrendered an RBI single to Addison Barger before being removed from the game. Williams was charged with his first blown save of the season and owns an 11.25 ERA, 2.38 WHIP, and eight strikeouts over eight innings. After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if Williams would remain the closer. "We'll see," Boone said when asked if Williams would benefit from moving to lower leverage situations. "We'll kind of talk through this stuff. This is raw right now. We want to do everything we can to get him right because we know how good he is and how valuable he is going to be from us." Williams has struggled and could benefit from temporarily being removed from the closer role until he gets things right. Luke Weaver would be the biggest beneficiary and handle ninth-inning duties until the Yankees are ready to return to Williams. Fantasy managers searching for saves should add Weaver in all league formats.
Source: Andy Martino
New York Yankees reliever Source: Andy Martino
Devin Williams Closes Door On Rays
Devin Williams pitched a clean inning on Thursday to earn a save in his team's 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The 30-year-old did not allow a hit or free pass and struck out none. It's Williams' fourth save of the season, as he's now down to an inflated 5.14 ERA and 1.86 WHIP with eight strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Though he's been a little shaky this season, the former second-round pick has pitched three straight hitless innings -- collecting three saves over the Yankees' prior four outings. It's mildly concerning that his strikeout rate has dropped nearly 20 points from a season ago, while his walk rate is elevated. However, Williams hasn't compiled an ERA higher than 2.50 since 2021, so he's likely to turn it around soon.
Source: ESPN
New York Yankees reliever Source: ESPN
Devin Williams Notches Second Save Of Season Monday
Devin Williams picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 4-1 win over the Royals. Williams came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He allowed a leadoff single to Bobby Witt Jr., got the first out on a pop-out, allowed a walk, and got the final two outs on another pop-out and a line-out. Things have not gone smoothly for the 30-year-old in his first season with his new team, as he has converted both of his save opportunities but has a 7.20 ERA, seven strikeouts, and six walks in just five innings of work. Williams has been one of fantasy's most reliable relief pitchers throughout his career and was traded for to fill a closing void for the Yankees, so fantasy managers should remain patient with him early on.
Source: MLB.com
New York Yankees closer Source: MLB.com
Devin Williams To Return From Paternity List On Friday
Devin Williams will come off the paternity list on Friday for the team's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Williams will miss his third and final game in the series finale in the Bronx on Thursday against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, but he'll be available if a save situation arises on Friday. Right-hander Luke Weaver is the next man up for save situations for the Yankees with Williams away from the team temporarily, but he hasn't been used at all since Williams left the team. The 30-year-old Williams picked up a save in his first appearance with the Yankees last week against his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, but he did give up an earned run on two hits while striking out two. If he stays healthy, Williams could be one of the most productive closers in the league for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that closer Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
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