Mets' New Closer Devin Williams Gives Up Mammoth Home Run on First Pitch

The former Yankees reliever struggled in his Mets debut, but bounced back to limit the damage.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Devin Williams, the New York Mets' new $41.38 million closer, had a rough start to his tenure with the team, giving up a 422-foot home run on the very first pitch he threw in a Mets uniform during a Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals. While Williams settled down to get out of the inning, the early blast did not inspire confidence in the two-time All-Star's ability to replace the departed Edwin Diaz as the Mets' bullpen anchor.

Why it matters

The Mets made a major investment in Williams to shore up their bullpen after Diaz's departure, so his early struggles are concerning. As the team looks to contend in 2026, they'll need Williams to regain the dominant form he showed with the Milwaukee Brewers before a down year with the Yankees.

The details

Facing top Cardinals prospect J.J. Wetherholt, Williams left a pitch in the middle of the zone that Wetherholt crushed 422 feet to center field. While Williams settled down to induce a pop-out, line-out and ground-out to limit the damage to just the one run, the early home run was not the ideal start he was looking for with his new team.

  • Devin Williams made his Mets debut on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Devin Williams

A 31-year-old right-handed closer who signed a $41.38 million contract with the Mets in the offseason to replace Edwin Diaz as the team's bullpen anchor.

J.J. Wetherholt

A top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization who hit a 422-foot home run off Williams in the Spring Training game.

Edwin Diaz

The former Mets closer who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency, prompting the Mets to sign Williams as his replacement.

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What they’re saying

“While it's only Spring Training, seeing the closer the Mets spent $41.38 million on to replace Diaz give up a home run on his first pitch in a Mets uniform isn't exactly a great way for Williams to kick-start his Mets career.”

— Matt Sullivan, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The Mets will be closely monitoring Williams' performance throughout the remainder of Spring Training as he looks to build confidence and consistency ahead of the regular season.

The takeaway

Devin Williams' rough debut with the Mets raises early questions about the team's investment in him to replace the departed Edwin Diaz, but the former All-Star will have the opportunity to prove himself and regain his dominant form during the rest of Spring Training and the regular season.