Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Wednesday that Williams (back) is expected to be out until around the All-Star break, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Initial estimates in mid-March when Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back had the closer missing three months. Arnold's timetable appears to be more conservative than that, although with Williams yet to resume baseball activities any timetable is approximate at this juncture. Abner Uribe has been serving as the Brewers' closer early on this season.

The Brewers transferred Williams (back) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The move doesn't change Williams' timetable, as he is slated to be out until at least mid-June while recovering from two stress fractures in his back. Kevin Herget will take Williams' spot on the 40-man roster.

The Brewers placed Williams (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Williams isn't expected to resume throwing for another month and likely won't be ready for game action until around midseason while he recovers from two stress fractures in his back, so he could be a candidate to move to the 60-day IL the next time the Brewers need to open up room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers have yet to anoint a new closer in place of Williams, but Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe and Joel Payamps look to be the early frontrunners to contend for save chances.

Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back Wednesday and will miss approximately three months, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams had pitched through back soreness toward the end of last season, and he saw a back specialist Wednesday after the soreness returned during spring training. Williams will be shut down from throwing for six weeks before beginning a six-week rehab program, lining him up to return sometime during June. Losing Williams is a huge blow to the Brewers after the 29-year-old closer posted a 1.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 2023 while racking up 87 strikeouts across 58.2 innings and tallying 36 saves en route to winning his second NL Reliever of the Year Award. It's unclear who will replace Williams as Milwaukee's primary closer to begin the season, but Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe figure to be likely candidates.

Williams is dealing with a sore back and will get a second opinion from a spine specialist in the coming week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin adds that Williams had an MRI on his back this past week. He'll continue to take time off as a precaution until he is assessed by a back specialist this week. Williams tallied 36 saves in 40 tries last season while posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB over 58.2 innings.

Williams agreed to a one-year contract with the Brewers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Based on the reported figures the two sides were exchanging, the deal is likely for around $7 million, and it comes with a club option for 2025. Williams is the top closer in fantasy for 2024, according to early ADP. He had a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 58.2 innings last season while notching 36 saves.

Williams recorded a save against the Cardinals on Wednesday, walking two batters and striking out one in a scoreless and hitless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Williams had some trouble with his control, throwing just nine of 19 pitches for strikes and walking a pair of batters while tasked with protecting a one-run lead. Both of the free passes came with two outs, but the right-handed reliever was able to steer around the danger by getting Jordan Walker to fly out to end the contest. This was Williams' first appearance in 10 days and his first save since Sept. 15. With six straight scoreless outings during which he's 4-for-4 in save opportunities, Williams looks primed for the postseason.

Williams struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 35th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander's Airbender changeup was in peak form, as Carter Kieboom, Ildemaro Vargas and Luis Garcia all went down swinging against the pitch. Since the beginning of August, Williams has posted an elite 1.76 ERA, 0,65 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 15.1 innings while collecting three wins and nine saves in 17 appearances as he establishes himself as one of the premier closers in baseball.

Williams picked up the save Thursday against Miami, pitching a perfect inning while not recording any strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Williams needed only 11 pitches to get through the middle of the Marlins' lineup and record his 34th save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last three save attempts and has not allowed any hits, walks or runs in three straight appearances. Thursday's save did, however, mark the first time in his last seven outings that he failed to record at least one strikeout.

Williams picked up the save Tuesday against the Marlins. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

After giving up a run in back-to-back appearances to open September, Williams received over a week off and has bounced back with a pair of perfect innings. Despite the little hiccup, Williams is tied for the fifth most saves in MLB and owns a 1.68 ERA across 53.2 frames this year.