A difficult campaign for New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams has taken another turn for the worse.
On Monday, the Mets revealed that Williams has been sidelined on the injured list due to a strained right shoulder. The organization did not provide specific information about the severity of the strain or when he might be expected to return to action.
Previously a two-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year award winner during his tenure with the Brewers, Williams has experienced a sharp decline in his pitching effectiveness since departing Milwaukee after the 2024 campaign.
During his six-year run in Milwaukee, Williams established himself as one of the premier closers in the game, pitching to a stellar 1.83 ERA. However, after being traded to the New York Yankees ahead of the 2025 season, he floundered during his solitary year in the Bronx, marred by notable blown saves and an elevated 4.79 ERA.
During the winter, the Mets acquired Williams to step into the closer role vacated by All-Star Edwin Díaz, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency. New York committed to Williams with a three-year contract worth $51 million, wagering that he would rediscover the elite level of play he demonstrated back in Milwaukee.
Unfortunately, his performance has mirrored his struggles in the Bronx where he lost his ninth-inning responsibilities. Over the course of 42 games with the Mets, Williams has registered a disappointing 4.66 ERA along with a career-high 1.655 WHIP, converting just 16 out of 19 save chances.
The struggles of Williams are reflective of a broader downturn for the Mets, who began the year eyeing a World Series run but pivoted to selling off assets at the trade deadline, ultimately sitting at the bottom of the NL East standings with a 52-67 record as of Monday.
Perhaps the only positive aspect of Williams landing on the injured list is that the downtime could provide him with the necessary window to heal and pinpoint the underlying issues affecting his performance on the mound.
