Mets put Devin Williams on 15-day injured list with right shoulder strain, promote Jonathan Pintaro

The New York Mets placed closer Devin Williams on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right shoulder strain, a move that reshapes the late-inning picture for the club and increases the workload demands on the rest of the bullpen. The team announced the IL placement as part of its immediate roster adjustments, with an eye toward keeping Williams from aggravating an issue that affects pitching mechanics and pitch velocity control.

Williams has been identified in the Mets’ bullpen role as the team’s closer, so his absence creates a clear void in high-leverage innings. While injured-list designations do not, by themselves, indicate a recovery timetable beyond the minimum 15-day window, a shoulder strain typically carries the risk of lingering soreness and the need for careful ramp-up before returning to game conditions.

To fill the gap left by Williams, the Mets recalled right-hander Jonathan Pintaro from Triple-A Syracuse. The promotion points to the club’s decision to rely on organizational depth rather than a short-notice alternative, and it also suggests that Pintaro’s availability and bullpen readiness were key factors as the team prepared for games during Williams’ absence.

In practice, the move forces the Mets to recalibrate their late-inning roles. Even when teams have multiple effective relief options, the closer role comes with a specific usage pattern, including how the team manages consecutive days, warming windows, and matchup planning against the opponent’s top hitters. Williams’ IL stint will likely increase leverage opportunities for other relievers, especially those already trusted for multi-out situations.

There is an additional layer to the timing. A shoulder-related placement in-season can change how a front office approaches bullpen stability, because it may require more flexible sequencing across the week, not just one day at a time. The Mets now have to balance innings and arm health among their remaining relievers while maintaining performance in late innings where a single run can swing outcomes.

For the immediate future, the Mets will be watching two things: how quickly Pintaro transitions from Triple-A game rhythms to major-league pressure, and how the rest of the bullpen holds up as the team searches for consistent finishing options without Williams. If Williams is able to progress during the minimum IL period, the Mets can begin planning a return plan; if not, they may need to keep expanding the bullpen’s “finish” roles beyond the single closer designation.