Devin Williams

Devin Williams first pitch in a Mets uniform went as poorly as it possibly could've originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets made a ton of free-agent and trade additions this offseason. While the focus was largely on the lineup and a staff ace in Freddy Peralta, the bullpen also underwent major changes.

Edwin Diaz is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Mets replaced him with Devin Williams. The former New York Yankees closer is joining the Mets, and he made his Mets debut, albeit in Spring Training, on Friday, February 27th.

Unfortunately for Williams, it went about as poorly as it could've gone for his first pitch. Facing top St. Louis Cardinals prospect J.J. Wetherholt, Williams gave up a mammoth homer.

Devin Williams gives up 422-foot home run on first pitch with Mets

The Cardinals shared the video of Williams giving up the 422-foot home run to Wetherholt, who launched a pitch that, as Underdog MLB shared, was in the middle of the zone for a long home run.

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 27, 2026

The 31-year-old right-handed closer is taking over for Diaz on the Mets in 2026, and this first impression was not a good one.

He did bounce back, inducing a pop-out, line-out, and ground-out to get out of the innings, only allowing one run. But that one run was on the first pitch he threw.

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The two-time All-Star was incredible for the Milwaukee Brewers before his one year in New York. He had a 1.83 ERA in 241 games for the Brewers.

But, one season with the Yankees in New York, and he put up a 4.79 ERA in 67 games. While he's leaving the Yankees behind, he's staying in New York, and this first-pitch homer doesn't instill much confidence.

He's never given up more than five home runs in a single season, even when he struggled a lot this past season.

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.

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