The New York Mets‘ 2024 struggles have been well-documented. The Blue and Orange entered the campaign with a roster that had the potential to sneak into the playoffs. Instead, they have underperformed and are sitting at nine games under .500 (28-37) during the second week of June.
A key reason for the Mets’ struggles has been they have yet to have a roster at full strength.
Ace of the staff Kodai Senga has yet to appear, as he began the season on the injured list after suffering a shoulder strain during spring training. Brooks Raley had to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, and the list continues.
Despite the injury woes and struggles, the Mets are sitting just 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot and are getting reinforcements. Before Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, the blue and orange activated Francisco Álvarez from the injured list after the 22-year-old had been out since April with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb and then provided a return date for their all-star closer.
Edwin Díaz is set to return on Thursday
“He threw a bullpen today, looked pretty good, I was there,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Off tomorrow, and then the plan is to activate him on Thursday when he’s eligible.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza via SNY on X
Edwin Díaz made two rehab appearances with High-A Brooklyn since being placed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement, striking out four batters without allowing a run in two innings.
The 30-year-old has pitched 20 innings across 20 appearances to a 5.40 ERA with a 1.250 WHIP and 30 strikeouts while being 5-for-9 in save situations.
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Who might the Mets send down to make room for Díaz?
The Mets will have a difficult decision with how well some of the fringe bullpen pieces have performed since being called up. A potential player the Blue and Orange could send down is Danny Young.
Young has been impressive in his limited time in the big leagues, pitching nine innings across nine appearances to a 1.00 ERA and 1.000 WHIP with 12 strikeouts. The 30-year-old hasn’t done anything to deserve a demotion, but someone has to be sent down, and Young feels like the most likely option.