The Mets 2024 campaign has been a disaster. The blue and orange are sitting at 10 games under .500 at the one-third mark of the campaign and are dealing with uncertainty up and down the roster.
A lot of that uncertainty has been caused by the injury bug rearing its ugly head around the Mets locker room for another season.
2023 all-star Kodai Senga has missed the entirety of the season with a shoulder strain, exciting young catcher Francisco Álvarez tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb, which required surgery to repair; Brooks Raley had to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, and the list goes on and on.
But a day after, it appeared the Mets’ injury luck may just be turning around with star shortstop Francisco Lindor avoiding breaking his left index finger on a bunt attempt gone wrong, another key player has gone to the 15-day injured list.
Edwin Díaz is heading to the Mets’ 15-day injured list
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets have placed Edwin Díaz on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.
Díaz, who has not pitched since Saturday when he blew his fourth save when allowing two hits and a run across one inning pitched in what became a 7-2 Mets loss to the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings, has struggled in his first season back since tearing his right patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic last March.
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.
Who is coming up for Díaz
Taking Díaz’s roster spot for the time being will be Josh Walker.
Walker, who was just demoted this morning to make room for today’s starter, David Peterson, has pitched well when he has been in the big leagues. The New York native has pitched 8.2 innings across eight appearances to a 2.08 ERA with a 1.038 WHIP and seven strikeouts.
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Who takes over the closer duties
With Díaz’s recent struggles, the Mets have been opting for a closer-by-committee approach, which will likely continue to be the case.
Carlos Mendoza will likely primarily use Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett and Jake Diekman when attempting to get the final three outs, but losing Díaz, even with the Puerto Rico native’s recent struggles, is still a massive blow to this Mets bullpen.