Edwin Diaz will not return to Mets bullpen in 2023

Mets nearer Edwin Díaz won’t return to a serious league mound in 2023, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The 2-time All-Star has not suffered a setback and he’ll proceed to throw bullpen classes, however the staff doesn’t wish to jeopardize his well being by speeding him again for the tail finish of what has turn out to be a misplaced season. 

When Díaz tore his patellar tendon throughout the World Baseball Basic, the Mets have been preseason favorites for an NL postseason berth. Six months later, they discover themselves two losses away from a shedding marketing campaign.

Díaz at all times hoped to come back again throughout the common season — an bold aim, however one inside the realm of chance. He deserves credit score for a way successfully he has labored towards that goal. 

As pitching coach Jeremy Hefner informed DiComo, the flamethrowing righty has progressed to a degree the place he might, theoretically, be again within the majors earlier than the tip of the yr. Certainly, if the Mets have been in a extra aggressive place, he might need already made his return.

Nevertheless, Hefner expressed concern concerning the star nearer re-aggravating his leg damage whereas working to make a defensive play or avoiding a comebacker to the mound. Thus, Díaz must wait till subsequent March to pitch one other sport at Citi Discipline.

New York might not be taking part in for a lot this September, nevertheless it nonetheless comes as disheartening information that Díaz gained’t rejoin the ’pen. Mets relievers rank thirteenth within the Nationwide League with a 4.53 ERA and final with -0.1 FanGraphs WAR. They’ve had explicit bother for the reason that commerce deadline, pitching to a 5.68 ERA and -0.4 fWAR.

Along with Díaz, Sean Reid-Foley and John Curtiss are on the injured record, whereas David Robertson was dealt to Miami on the deadline. In the meantime, 4 of the eight relievers on the Mets’ energetic roster have an ERA over 5. 

This bullpen might actually use Díaz and his electrical arm – for a morale increase, if nothing else — however admittedly, that’s hardly a purpose to danger his well being. He’s on monitor to return at full power in 2024.