Brewers closer Devin Williams to seek second opinion on back injury, putting opening day in question

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams is dealing with a sore back that he is going to seek a second opinion from a spine specialist for.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy announced Sunday afternoon that Williams, the 2023 National League reliever of the year, has been dealing with pain in the lower right region of his back for a few weeks.

Williams had imaging done on the injury last week in Arizona. Nothing alarming appeared, Murphy said, but Williams is seeking out a specialist in California.

:Felt like he could move forward with it and just treat it," Murphy said of the first opinion. "Give him some time off. He felt like he wants to go to a specialist."

Williams recorded 36 saves with a 1.53 earned run average in 2023 but was roughed up for four runs in his last spring training outing last Tuesday.

"He felt it for a while and not taking any chances," Murphy said. "So we’re going to get it looked at Wednesday. He’s dealt with it for a couple of weeks. Just doesn’t feel right."

"He said he’s felt like that the whole spring so far. We just figured why not take a precaution. He got an opinion and now we’re going to get another."

Murphy did not give any indication as to whether Williams' status for opening day March 28 would be impacted.

"I think it would be smart," Murphy said of waiting until the second opinion before making an announcement.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers closer Devin Williams to seek second opinion on back injury