Devin Williams activated from injured list ahead of Sunday’s series finale

Janson Junk designated for assignment to clear roster space

The Brewers have activated reliever Devin Williams from the injured list, setting him up for his long-awaited season debut after missing several months due to back fractures. Right-hander Janson Junk was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man and active rosters.

Williams, 30 in September, has been a key part of Milwaukee’s bullpen since debuting in 2019. His key accolades include the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2020, All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, and NL Reliever of the Year Awards in 2020 and 2023. In five seasons, he has a 1.89 ERA and 2.42 FIP across 214 innings, picking up 54 saves and striking out 337.

He made 65 appearances with a 1.93 ERA in 2022 before making 61 appearances with a 1.53 ERA in 2023. He’s been shelved since spring training with stress fractures in his back, as he made his first rehab appearance with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers earlier this month. In four rehab appearances (one at High-A and three at Triple-A), he allowed no runs on one hit and two walks with six strikeouts in four innings.

Junk, 28, was acquired in the Hunter Renfroe deal with the Angels in November 2022. In two seasons in the Brewers organization, he’s bounced between Triple-A Nashville and the major league squad. In five appearances with the Brewers this year, he has a 6.75 ERA with eight strikeouts across eight innings. In 18 appearances (three starts) with Nashville, he has a 2.55 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 35 ¹⁄₃ innings.

In other injury updates, the Brewers have moved reliever J.B. Bukauskas up to Triple-A Nashville as he rehabs. Bukauskas, 27, was placed on the injured list in mid-April with a right lat strain. He’s made three rehab appearances between the ACL Brewers and Nashville thus far, allowing one run across three innings with two strikeouts.