In his comeback from a knee injury, Edwin Diaz has advanced significantly as the Mets get ready for spring camp.
The eagerly awaited return of great closer Edwin Diaz by the New York Mets has not disappointed. Diaz’s health has improved and he appears ready to make an impact in the ninth inning once more as spring training draws near.
According to Tim Healy of Newsday, Diaz faced hitters on Thursday for the first time since March 2023. He pitched all session with a fastball in the mid-90s.
The closer sustained a severe knee injury during the World Baseball Classic, which forced him to miss the entire 2023 campaign. It happened after Diaz inked a $102 million, five-year contract extension with the Mets. However, Diaz wants to show that he was worthy of that contract after spending a year away from the diamond.
He undoubtedly has the right appearance for his 2022 campaign. Throughout his 61 appearances, Diaz recorded 32 saves, posted a 1.31 ERA, and a 118/18 K/BB ratio, earning him a nomination to his second career All-Star game. New York was shown by that performance how crucial Diaz is to the team’s success.
The Mets will appear completely different when the 2024 season begins. With pitchers like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer gone, New York’s rotation will be full with holes. But the Mets would at least feel more confident in the later innings with a potent bullpen.
After being away from the diamond for such a long period, Edwin Diaz and company will exercise caution. However, it’s encouraging to be able to take on batters prior to the actual start of spring training. As Opening Day approaches for the Mets, Diaz intends to increase his practice regimen and continue to log repetitions.