Right before Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets placed closer Edwin Díaz on 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement. New York recalled left-hander Josh Walker from Triple-A literally hours after sending him down.
RHP Edwin Díaz has been placed on the 15-Day IL with a right shoulder impingement.
LHP Josh Walker has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2024
Edwin Díaz on Injured List with Right Shoulder Impingement
This continues a rough May for Díaz. In his first 10 outings of the season, he posted a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. While his velocity was slightly down, Díaz looked like he was set to return from knee surgery with a bang.
Unfortunately, his season has taken a turn. From April 29 to his last appearance on May 25, Díaz produced a 9.58 ERA in 10 1/3 innings across 10 appearances. While he still generated strikeouts at an above-average rate, Díaz allowed four homers and blew several games.
Per Statcast, Díaz ranks among the best in Whiff, Chase and Strikeout rate. Plus, he’s one of the hardest throwers in the league (despite a decline from his 2022 velocity) and limits exit velocity well.
Edwin Díaz has blown three CONSECUTIVE save chances. 😬
(🎥: @SFGiants)pic.twitter.com/BqcLidKBKs
— theScore (@theScore) May 25, 2024
However, the 30-year-old has given up a lot of Barrels while posting an around league average Hard-Hit rate. These metrics represent Díaz’s season pretty well. He hasn’t been completely awful, but is getting hurt by the big home runs. Predictably, this can’t happen when you’re pitching in the ninth inning.
Díaz lost his closer role in a couple weeks ago after blowing multiple games in a week. New York began Wednesday 10 games below .500, but with a normal Díaz, it’s far to say the team could have finished May at or above .500.
Perhaps it was unfair to expect Díaz to return to normal after missing all of 2023. The Puerto Rican infamously tore the patellar tendon in his right knee after closing a game for Puerto Rico during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Nevertheless, Díaz will have time to recover, both mentally and physically, with his latest injured list stint. The Mets will likely use Adam Ottavino, the last remaining of the bullpen’s high-leverage trio, in save situations with Díaz out.
Main Photo: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
