The New York Mets saw significant roster changes during the offseason, focusing heavily on bolstering their pitching staff alongside lineup upgrades. Among the bullpen shifts, Devin Williams was brought in to replace Edwin Diaz, who departed for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Williams, a two-time All-Star known for his success with the Milwaukee Brewers, made his Mets debut during Spring Training on Friday, February 27, 2026.
However, Williams’ debut proved challenging as he gave up a towering 422-foot home run on his very first pitch to the St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect, J.J. Wetherholt, marking a rough start to his tenure with the Mets.
Details of the Home Run and Williams’s Response
The Cardinals publicly shared the moment Wetherholt crushed the ball to center field, demonstrating significant power on a pitch located in the middle of the strike zone. This home run was widely discussed following the game, including a social media post from the Cardinals that captured the 422-foot blast.
“JJ goes 422 feet to center! 💥 pic.twitter.com/47f86vjzoe”— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals)
Despite this early setback, the 31-year-old right-hander regained his composure, retiring the next three batters through a pop-out, a line-out, and a ground-out, limiting the damage to just one run in that inning. This initial struggle was notable, as Williams has historically maintained strong control, rarely surrendering more than five home runs across an entire season.
Career Context and Expectations for Williams With the Mets
Williams enters the Mets organization after a mixed 2025 season. Prior to his brief stint with the New York Yankees, his performance with the Milwaukee Brewers was stellar, highlighted by a 1.83 ERA in 241 appearances. His single season in New York yielded a less favorable 4.79 ERA across 67 games. Although his move keeps him in New York, fans’ excitement is somewhat dampened by this rocky start.
The Mets invested heavily in Williams, signing him for $41.38 million to fill the closer role left vacant by Diaz. While Spring Training results are often taken with caution, giving up a home run on the first pitch in a Mets uniform raises questions about his ability to immediately fill the void.
Additional MLB Updates and Team News
Alongside Williams’s debut, the league continues to see notable developments. The Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm has made headlines with his nine-figure contract demands, while the Twins report concerning injury news concerning Pablo Lopez. The Cubs’ Alex Bregman has taken a firm stance against trades with the Red Sox. Former Rockies pitcher German Marquez recently criticized his old team after signing with a franchise focused on winning. Meanwhile, the Giants received promising news regarding top prospect Carson Whisenhunt’s significant velocity increase, and the Phillies’ Jhoan Duran teased a new pitch without revealing details.
JJ goes 422 feet to center! 💥 pic.twitter.com/47f86vjzoe
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 27, 2026
Devin Williams first pitch in a Mets uniform: pic.twitter.com/SPHAxhZpK6
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) February 27, 2026
