Punch out: Brewers reliever Devin Williams breaks hand after hitting wall

ST. LOUIS — Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams will likely miss the playoffs after he fractured his right hand after hitting a wall in frustration, team officials said.

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Williams, 27, will have surgery on his pitching hand, which will “likely keep him out for the remainder of the season,” David Stearns, the team’s president of baseball operations, told reporters.

Williams, the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year, is 8-2 this season with a 2.50 ERA. The Brewers’ setup man for closer Josh Hader has three saves in 58 appearances.

Williams told reporters on Wednesday that he had too much to drink and got “frustrated and upset” over something on his way home after celebrating the team’s clinching of the N.L. Central title on Sunday. Williams said he punched a wall with his pitching hand, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“I’m pretty upset with myself,” Williams said. “There’s no one to blame but me. I feel like I’ve let my team down, our coaching staff, our fans, everyone. I know how important of a role I play on this team and a lot of people count on me.”

Williams added that the injury was self-inflicted after he had “a few drinks,” the Journal Sentinel reported.

“After our celebration, I went out to have a few drinks and on my way home I was a little frustrated, upset, and I punched a wall,” Williams told reporters. “That’s how it happened.

“I guess all I can do now is cheer my team on and learn from it and don’t make that same mistake in the future.”

Stearns said there’s an “outside chance” Williams could be available for the World Series if the Brewers get that far, according to The Associated Press.

Williams was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and pitcher Colin Rea was brought up from the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee, CNN reported.

“I don’t think it’s going to be one player who fills that role,” manager Craig Counsell told reporters. “I think it’s going to be multiple players that fill that role. And when you say the role, don’t think about the regular season is what I guess I would say. It’s going to be a pitcher. It’s not necessarily going to be a reliever. We have to get 27 outs to win a playoff game. That’s truly how we see it.”

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