Williams progressing, but taking it 'one day at a time'
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LOS ANGELES -- Brewers closer Devin Williams' “one day at a time” approach to rehabbing his back injury will take him to the next big step on Tuesday, when he is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice at American Family Field.
After that, he’ll be ready for a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, but Williams says he’s not ready to think about the details of that just yet. Since landing on the injured list at the end of Spring Training with stress fractures in his back, he’s stuck to the same strategy that aided his evolution into one of the best late-inning arms in baseball.
"You guys keep asking me questions and I keep telling you the same thing. I know what I have today, and I know what I have tomorrow,” Williams said before Sunday's win in Los Angeles. “Further than that, I have no idea.
"I know I have a ‘live’ on Tuesday because a fan told me the other day. He said he read one of your stories that I have a ‘live’ on the 9th. I was like, ‘Oh, thanks for letting me know.’”
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Following that mindset, Williams said he does not know how many Minor League appearances he would need to be ready for Major League action. The Brewers have aimed to have him back in the neighborhood of the Trade Deadline, which comes July 30.
He would represent a significant addition to the Milwaukee bullpen, which has covered the second-most innings of any team in the Majors this season -- and lately has shown it. Williams had 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA in 61 appearances last year in his first full season as the Brewers’ closer, earning his second National League Reliever of the Year Award.
Will he learn anything about where his recovery stands from facing hitters this week?
"I mean, sure. But I know how I feel and I know what it’s supposed to look like,” Williams said. “And it looks like that."