Reports: Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) out 3 months

Brewers closer Devin Williams will be sidelined for about three months with two stress fractures in his back, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The two-time All-Star pitched through soreness in his back last September and made only two appearances this spring, allowing four runs on two hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings.

Williams, 29, went 8-3 with a career-high 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA in 61 relief appearances in 2023, striking out 87 batters in 58 2/3 innings.

The 2020 National League Rookie of the Year and two-time NL reliever of the year (2020, 2023) is 26-10 with 54 saves and a 1.89 ERA in 219 career games (zero starts) with Milwaukee.

Following an initial MRI in Arizona, Williams was examined Wednesday in California by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, per multiple reports.

Williams and the Brewers avoided arbitration this offseason and settled on a one-year, $7.25 million contract in November. The deal includes a club option for 2025 that would raise his annual salary to $10.5 million.

With Williams out until midseason, candidates to fill the closer's role include right-handers Bryce Wilson and Joel Payamps (each three saves in 2023), Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill.