Brewers surprisingly change course on Devin Williams’ availability

Brewers’ president David Stearns says there’s a chance setup reliever Devin Williams could return if Brewers make the World Series.

Shortly after the Milwaukee Brewers clinched NL Central crown on Sep. 26, relief pitcher Devin Williams punched a wall and broke his pitching hand while celebrating. After the injury, Brewers’ president David Stearns suggested that the injury would keep him out of the postseason.

Tuesday night, however, Stearns said there was a chance that the top setup reliever could return if Milwaukee advances to the World Series.

Brewers: Devin Williams could be available, eventually

The Brewers bullpen is strong enough to win games without him but Josh Hader, Williams’ partner in closing situations, has not pitched more than one inning an outing this season. While he wouldn’t be relied on to start, Williams may surely be missed if the Brewers struggle to close games during the playoffs.

Williams was last year’s NL Rookie of the Year and boasted a 2.50 ERA to an 8-2 record this season. Prior to the conference clinching game, he had been out with a calf injury. Upon his return that night, he struck out three batters into a scoreless eighth inning.

The duo of Williams and Hader was a big factor in the Brewers 70-4 record when leading after seven innings this season.

Until Williams gets back, Milwaukee will rely on a closing rotation of Hader, Brad Boxberger and Brent Suter.