Brewers News: Devin Williams returns, Nick Mears arrives, two relievers shipped out

Ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Miami Marlins, the Milwaukee Brewers made a couple of changes to their roster.

Most importantly, the Brewers activated All Star closer Devin Williams from the 60 day IL. He had been out since spring training with stress fractures in his back and is set to make his 2024 debut.

In order to clear both an active roster spot and a 40 man roster spot, the Milwaukee Brewers designated Janson Junk for assignment. Junk had already been up and down several times this season and was reaching his minor league options limit anyway. In his five appearances, Junk had a 6.75 ERA.

Brewers trade deadline acquisition arrives for the bullpen

The Brewers completed a trade with the Rockies on Saturday, their first trade with Colorado since 2004, acquiring reliever Nick Mears in exchange for two minor league pitching prospects. Bradley Blalock was one of those prospects and he occupied a 40 man roster spot, which went to Mears so he didn't need one to be activated on Sunday.

However, Mears did need a 26 man roster spot since Blalock was in the minor leagues. That came at the expense of Tyler Jay, who was just acquired in a trade with the Mets last weekend. Jay was called up for Saturday's game, pitching a scoreless 9th inning. Jay was then optioned back to Triple-A Nashville to make room for Mears.

Junk and Jay are out while Williams and Mears are in.

Janson Junk will have a few days to go through waivers. If he goes unclaimed, the Brewers could outright Junk to Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers could try to work out a trade for Junk, but any return for him would be minimal.

Getting Williams back is a big boost to this Brewers bullpen. Trevor Megill has done a great job filling in the closer's role this year while Williams has been out. Gaining another high leverage arm that's pretty fresh after having not pitched the last few months should help out an overtaxed bullpen group.

Mears told reporters on Sunday that he had been tipping pitches for around a month and a half with the Rockies and was completely unaware of it. He learned about it prior to the All Star Break and made the necessary adjustments and since then, he's been lights out.

The bullpen looks fortified and solid with the additions of Williams and Mears. Now, as the Trade Deadline is just about 48 hours away, the Brewers can focus their attention on other areas of need in the starting rotation and a left handed bat.