New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz is set to miss the entire 2023 season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee during celebrations following Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic victory against the Dominican Republic.
Diaz's Puerto Rico had just recorded a massive win 5-2 over the Dominican Republic sending the country to the quarter-finals - and the celebrations afterwards were wild as players huddled together jumping up and down after the game. The reliever was left unable to put weight on his knee as he was helped off the field and left in a wheelchair.
The Mets later confirmed that he had suffered a right knee injury and Diaz will need to undergo surgery, leaving fans furious. The 28-year-old was recently re-signed by the Mets in a five-year deal worth $102million (£84.1m) - the largest ever given to a relief pitcher.
According to USA Today, all player contracts are covered by insurance through the WBC that spans the length of time the player is out with an injury suffered during the tournament - which in Diaz's case is worth an eye-watering $20.4m for the season.
And with the MLB season just around the corner, the Mets will be without Diaz, who enjoyed the best season of his seven-year career last term. The hard-throwing right-hander recorded 32 saves, a 1.31 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings last season.
Mets general manager Billy Eppler provided a timeline for Diaz’s return on Thursday. "There are instances where athletes have come back earlier, more around the six-month mark,” said Eppler. “But those are a little bit more of the exception than the rule.”
Eppler added that he has spoken to Diaz several times and that the Mets star is in good spirits. “He’s a resilient human being,” Eppler declared. “That’s why he is the closer he is. The dude doesn’t get rattled.” The GM also claimed Diaz’s injury isn’t uncommon in the sporting world. “It's an injury that's actually really common in the NBA and NFL,” Eppler said. “When you get an excessive load put on your knee, it can happen.”
The Mets do have a number of stars who can fill in the void left by Diaz. David Robertson has 157 career saves, including 20 last season when he pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.
Adam Ottavino has 33 career saves, while Brooks Raley had six saves for the Tampa Bay Rays last season.
