As he continues to recuperate from the serious knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2023 MLB season, Edwin Diaz, the All-Star closer for the New York Mets, provided a positive update on his condition.
“I would be completely prepared right now if spring training began tomorrow,” Diaz stated to Newsday’s Laura Albanese. “My leg has a lot of strength. I’m prepared to leave.”
A short time after winning the 2022 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award, Diaz inked a $102 million, five-year contract with the Mets. After shockingly suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory in the World Baseball Classic this past March, the 29-year-old fan favorite appeared to be affected by the setback, which continued to affect the Mets throughout what turned out to be one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
The most expensive team in MLB concluded the 2023 season with a 75-87 record without Diaz.
Prior to the current season, Diaz had expressed his desire to try to make a comeback, telling Albanese that he “threw eight or nine bullpens” toward the end of the season.
“It was really good,” Diaz continued. “My knee felt fantastic at the time, and it feels even better now. I just returned from a week-long test-taking trip in New York, and I couldn’t be happier.”
According to New York Post beat writer Mike Puma, had the Amazins not collapsed before their fire sale at the trade deadline, “Diaz might have been in position to join the Mets for a postseason run” in October. Now that he’s back on the bump, Diaz is trying to get comfortable again and told Albanese that he can field the position the same way he did before getting hurt.
“I have a lot of comfort,” Diaz said. We have a lot of time, and since it’s December right now, I haven’t been doing that yet. Perhaps in February.Can I do it now, though? Yes, I am 100% capable of doing it.”
Coming off a season that most people connected to the team would rather forget, Mets fans will welcome any good news.