Mets Place Closer On 15-Day IL Due To Shoulder Strain

The New York Mets placed closer Devin Williams on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, according to a report from Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com that referenced reporting from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, with right-hander Jonathan Pintaro called up from Triple-A Syracuse to take his place on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Mets signed Williams to be their closer in the offseason, although there was some doubt about whether he might also be setting up former Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who instead signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is now out for the season with an injury. 

Williams was one of the best relievers in the game from 2020-24 for the Milwaukee Brewers as he posted a 1.70 ERA and a 41 percent strikeout rate to go with that number. But Williams has struggled with both New York teams, first with the New York Yankees last year and now this season with the Mets. 

The right-hander has had moments when he’s been dominant, but Williams has also had some bad games, especially in the last few weeks. 

He’s pitched some innings where his pitch count has climbed to dangerous levels, which makes it fair to wonder if he was trying to pitch through something. He was unavailable for part of last week due to what the Mets called right arm fatigue, and now he’ll do a stint on the IL. 

The Mets signed Williams to a three-year, $51 million contract, so they’ll undoubtedly be cautious about his return, and if the injury is at all serious there’s a decent chance his season could be over. His current ERA is 4.66 in 42 appearances. 

The Mets just traded most of their bullpen at the trade deadline, so it’s unclear who’ll be closing games. A closer-by-committee approach could be coming, as Daniel Duarte got a save last week and the Mets also have other hard throwers like Dedniel Nunez and Jefry Yan who could get a shot. Pintaro could also be in the mix along with other call-ups going forward. 

The plus side of this, if there is one, is that it’s happening with the Mets well out of contention and going through a tryout/evaluation period. The Mets play tonight in Atlanta having won five of their last six, so whoever gets an opportunity to close will be sorely tested, assuming that happens at some point during their three-game series.