Star Brewers closer to make long-awaited rehab appearance this weekend

There are good injury updates and then there are great injury updates. So then let's just file this one under amazing injury updates.

Devin Williams, the Brewers' primary closer in 2023 and the end of 2022, a two-time All-Star and two-time NL Reliever of the Year, and 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, is set to make his first rehab appearance this Saturday. It will come with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Williams has been on the injured list since the 2024 season began after suffering back issues earlier this spring. Once he was able to seek a second medical opinion on the problem, it was discovered that he had stress fractures in his back.

Based on the recovery for that injury, it was expected that the Brewers would be without Williams until roughly the trade deadline. That continued to be the case until it was revealed recently that he was going to have the chance to return earlier. His rehab assignment confirms that sentiment.

Star Brewers closer Devin Williams starts a rehab assignment at High-A Wisconsin this weekend.

Williams isn't the only injured Brewer who will be rehabbing with the Timber Rattlers during their current series. Third baseman Joey Ortiz, one of the team's top offensive performers this season, begins his own rehab assignment there tonight.

As great as it will be to get Ortiz back in the lineup, it's not every day you get a player the caliber of Williams back in your pitching staff. Even a bullpen like Milwaukee's becomes exponentially better in that case.

Though there have been some hiccups lately, the Brewers bullpen has largely held up well in Williams' absence. Trevor Megill has stepped up as temporary closer and has 18 saves on the season and Brewers relievers as a whole rank 5th in all of MLB with a 3.37 ERA going into Thursday.

Williams, though, as at a different level. He had one of the finest seasons of his career in 2023 going 8-3 with a 1.53 ERA, 37.7% strikeout rate, and career high 36 saves, tied for the 11th highest total in Brewers franchise history.

The Brewers have managed to stay in first place in the NL Central despite numerous losses to injury across the 2024 season. Getting a player like Williams back gives them a great chance of staying right where they are.