It’s been a rocky 2023 season for the New York Mets. They entered the year with World Series aspirations and dreams of finally bringing the trophy back to Queens after 36 years. Those dreams turned into nightmares quickly. It was right before the season even started. During the World Baseball Classic, New York’s electric closer Edwin Díaz suffered a severe knee injury. It was a freak injury during a victory celebration after he helped Puerto Rico defeat the Dominican Republic. He tore his patellar tendon, and it was estimated that he would miss eight months. This happened four months after the Mets signed him to a 5-year, $102 million deal. Since then, Díaz has been working extremely hard to get back, but on Monday, the Mets finally halted those plans.
Mets Star Closer Won’t Pitch In 2023
Just before the Mets took the field to begin a series in Miami, ironically the same place Díaz suffered his injury, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that New York has decided not to have Diaz pitch this season. Although he will continue to have bullpen sessions as he rehabs off his injury.
News: Edwin Díaz will not return to pitch this season.
Díaz will continue to throw bullpen sessions until the end of September, but the team does not want to risk him in a game given its place in the standings. He’ll be ready for a normal offseason and the start of 2024.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 18, 2023
Mets Made The Right Decision
When the injury happened, the hope was he would be ready to return to the bullpen by mid or late September to help the Mets push for the postseason—followed by assisting them in October en route to a World Series title. That was soon dashed around June or July when the team struggled. It made bringing him back even more challenging because it served no purpose, and you didn’t want to risk another injury. It became more apparent when the Mets sold off at the trade deadline. The only purpose bringing back Díaz served at this point was getting Mets fans to Citi Field during the final home stretch of the year to see him pitch and play “Narco.” Other than that, there was no reason to risk a player you just signed coming off a severe knee injury to pitch in meaningless games. It’s best for the Mets that he rests up and gets healthy for next year.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
