Add The New York Post on Google Devin Williams plans to begin throwing within days, the first significant step in determining if the Mets closer will perform again for the team this season.
For Williams, receiving that opportunity remains important just to determine if he’s healthy heading into the offseason.
Diagnosed with a right shoulder strain three weeks ago, he’s been limited to strengthening exercises.
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“The standings are what they are, but I would like to contribute and go into the offseason on a good note and healthy, and it’s pretty important to me,” Williams told The Post before the Mets opened a three-game series against the Astros at Citi Field.
Williams has watched Kodai Senga slide into his role and find mostly success.
Senga entered the day 4-for-4 in save opportunities but was the losing pitcher against the White Sox on Sunday, when he allowed a walk-off homer to Tristan Peters in the ninth inning.
New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning on Friday, August 7, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It was Senga’s first real hiccup since assuming the role.
“He has done great — four of four on save opportunities and you can’t really do better than that, it’s fun to watch,” Williams said. “His stuff has looked really good out of the bullpen since they moved him out there, it’s been impressive stuff.”
But Williams said he hasn’t felt the need to share any wisdom with Senga about the job.
“I think he knows [the job] already,” Williams said. “He was a reliever on his team in Japan at one point, so he knows what the role calls for.”
Senga isn’t alone in success in the team’s rebuilt bullpen following the trade deadline. Nate Lavender and Daniel Duarte have dominated and Jefry Yan, Jonathan Pintaro and Dedniel Núñez are among the relievers who have stepped up to help keep the Mets afloat.
Williams, who arrived on a three-year contract worth $51 million, is the last remaining veteran member of the unit: Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley were all traded, along with Huascar Brazobán.
“Everyone has thrown the ball really well,” Williams said of the new bullpen.
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga closes out the ninth inning during a game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The results haven’t been as favorable for Williams, who has a 4.66 ERA in 42 appearances this season. But Williams has converted 16 of his 19 save opportunities.
“I felt like I was in a solid spot [before the injury], but that has been this year, it has been up and down for me,” Williams said. “I had a good stretch, and I had a few bad games. I kind of did that a couple of different times. I just show up and give it my best effort. I don’t really think about whether I am on a good streak or not.”
Williams, who pitched for the Brewers during Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns’ tenure heading Milwaukee’s front office, said he’s optimistic about his team’s future despite this season’s free fall in the standings.
The Mets began play Friday last in the NL East at 60-74.
But the team had shown improvement since the trade deadline with a 13-8 burst entering play.
“I think we have shown our ability a little more than we have throughout the course of the season — like, what this team could be,” Williams said. “The talent level of the guys in here and what they are capable of has definitely started to come through the further we have gotten in the season.
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Williams noted it’s essentially the same lineup — minus its best hitter, Juan Soto, who is rehabbing a calf strain — the team has deployed all season.
“You can see that the pieces are there,” Williams said. “It’s just doing what we’re capable of. That’s the name of the game.”
