For a week, Edwin Diaz was not the New York Mets’ closer. Their star was struggling in his return to the mound after missing the 2023 season because of injury. Looking to get him back on track, they decided to remove him from the ninth-inning role.
Alas, the results were the same for the New York Mets. Reed Garrett, who had been having an incredible season, blew both of his save chances this week. Against the Cleveland Guardians, he blew the game in the seventh inning, giving up a run.
Edwin Diaz came into the game in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night and got the hold. Reed was called on in the eighth and imploded, giving up five earned runs.
As a result of the struggles, New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza went back to Edwin Diaz as the closer on Saturday. Again, the results were negative, as he blew his fourth save of the season. New York went on to lose 7-2 in extra innings.
Despite his struggles, don’t expect a change to occur any time soon. After the game on Saturday, Mendoza made it clear that Edwin Diaz was their guy moving forward.
“He’s our closer,” Mendoza said. “In order for us to win games and get to where we want to get to, he’s got to pitch. And I felt like that was the right spot.”
This season has been a difficult one for the New York Mets as nothing is going in their favor. Their stars who they have relied on for years to produce at a high level are playing well below what they normally do.
The Mets were able to win on Sunday, snapping a five-game losing streak. But their struggles go beyond just Edwin Diaz. They are 7-16 thus far in May and are heading into a difficult series against the Los Angeles Dodgers next.
After that, they host the Arizona Diamondbacks to close out their 10-game homestand. Only four games out of a Wild Card spot in the National League, one good stretch of baseball can have the New York Mets right back in the thick of the playoff race.
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