The 2024 New York Mets are currently treading water. The blue and orange are eight games under .500 (28-36) and have had multiple difficult stretches throughout this first half of the season. A key reason for their struggles can be akin to another season of injuries.
Francisco Álvarez tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb and has been out of action since the end of April. Kodai Senga has missed the entirety of the season with a shoulder strain and recently had his timeline pushed back until after the all-star break.
Brooks Raley had to undergo Tommy John, Tylor Megill, and David Peterson have been hurt, and the list goes on and on. Despite the struggles, they remain within striking distance of a playoff spot as they are three games back of the final wild card spot and may get their all-star closer back soon.
Edwin Díaz makes a rehab appearance for High-A Brooklyn
Edwin Díaz made his second rehab appearance for High-A Brooklyn, facing three batters during a scoreless inning of work.
Díaz walked the first batter he faced on six pitches but bounced back nicely, generating a double play ball and ending the inning with a strikeout. The 30-year-old hit 97 MPH on the final pitch of the inning and threw 14 total pitches, eight of which were strikes.
“I feel great. I feel 100 percent ready,” Diaz said after his outing. “I’m mentally prepared to come into a situation and do my job. I can’t wait to come back and help the team to win.”
via Brooklyn Cyclones
The Puerto Rican native has 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.
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Where will Díaz fit in the Mets‘ lineup when he returns?
Before Díaz’s injury, the 30-year-old had been temporarily demoted from the closer due to struggles, but now may be the perfect time to reinsert him back into the closer role.
The Puerto Rican native’s confidence is likely up after two successful and dominant rehab outings, and there may not be a better time in the foreseeable future when Díaz will feel as confident pitching in the ninth. Time will tell where Díaz pitches when he returns later this week, but regardless, the bullpen will be getting quite the boost.