Mets’ Pitcher Devin Williams Evaluates Season Struggles

Devin Williams took some time on Thursday night to review video with the Mets’ new pitching coaches, trying to pinpoint what went wrong throughout the season.

Manager Carlos Mendoza remarked that Williams isn’t feeling sorry for himself. The closer has faced challenges, giving up runs in his last four outings and allowing multiple base runners in six consecutive games. This trend continued into Friday’s 4-3 defeat against the Rockies, where he didn’t pitch.

“They’re trying to figure out what’s missing,” Mendoza said, adding that Williams will have more opportunities to close games in the future.

Williams’ changeup has long been a key asset, making him one of the top relievers in baseball. However, this season it seems that hitters have figured it out, especially after his experience against Pete Alonso in the 2024 playoffs.

David Stearns, the President of Baseball Operations, noted that Williams is still working to improve his changeup, which hasn’t quite met his expectations.

In addition, his four-seam fastball has been less effective as well.

Pitching coach Justin Willard mentioned they’re implementing minor tweaks and doesn’t believe Williams is struggling due to the New York market, despite previous issues in both the Bronx and Queens.

“He has the slowest heart rate I’ve ever seen,” Willard said, emphasizing that it’s really just about making those small adjustments to get him back on track. They see a lot of potential in him.

The Mets bullpen overall has had its share of problems. With David Peterson, Sean Manaea, and Tobias Meyers available for relief duty, they’ve been shuffling things around. Mendoza admitted on Friday that the situation might not be sustainable, especially after Manaea pitched three and a third innings with seven strikeouts on just 61 pitches during the loss.

Prior to the game, Christian Scott was sent down to Syracuse, following struggles post-Tommy John surgery. Although he walked five batters in just over an inning, Mendoza clarified that the decision to move him wasn’t solely based on that outing.

“It had nothing to do with last night,” the manager said, explaining that the message to Scott was to get some exposure and come back stronger.

Right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. was brought up from Triple-A to provide some much-needed depth in the bullpen.

Edwards, who has over a decade of major league experience, adds valuable experience to a shaky relief corps.

Peterson has been effective in long relief after a string of poor starts and is likely to take Scott’s spot in the rotation soon.

Kodai Senga is set to start on Saturday, even after experiencing the roughest two games of his career. Stearns remarked that they aren’t considering moving him to the bullpen despite his struggles.

“We need consistency,” Stearns said, alluding to the team’s need for more balanced performances as they navigate the season.

In terms of injuries, Jorge Polanco is dealing with a wrist contusion and left Achilles soreness but has started to participate in baseball activities. Stearns pointed out it’s a week-to-week situation for him.

Once healthy, the Mets are hoping to insert him into the first-base lineup for added flexibility, especially as Juan Soto is still recovering from a calf strain. Notably, the Mets have fallen short in their last five series openers.