threw off a mound Wednesday morning at Citi Field for what is believed to be the first time since in March. It’s a key step in his rehab process, but that doesn’t mean the closer is nearing a return.
Throwing off a mound is one of the benchmarks that Diaz has to meet, but doing it once is only a start. The 29-year-old right-hander still has a ways to go before he can return to competitive action.
However, the Mets have not yet decided about bringing back Diaz this season, should he be healthy enough to pitch. Manager Buck Showalter was able to watch Diaz throw from the bullpen cameras and talked with him in the clubhouse later on, but has not involved himself too much in the closer’s rehab. Showalter said it’s too soon for him to be concerned about whether or not he will return to action this season.
“It’s a ways off,” Showalter said. “I haven’t gotten into the decision-making for that.”
At the very least, bringing back Diaz for a few games this season would provide an emotional boost for a beleaguered club. Some of might entice a few fans to come late in the season as well. It would answer some questions for the Mets heading into what will undoubtedly be an interesting winter.
“He’s getting ready to be an impactful pitcher for us next year,” Showalter said earlier this week. “Whether it’s in the best interest for him to pitch this year, I’ll let the medical people decide what’s best, with Edwin’s input. But we’re not at the point where he’s close enough to debate it yet.”
Diaz tore his patellar tendon during with his Puerto Rico teammates after a World Baseball Classic win. Without him, the Mets lacked an adequate amount of high-leverage relievers and it became a factor in the team’s 2023 downfall.
ROSTER MOVES
Right-hander was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to take the place of right-hander Jose Butto in the bullpen. Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which made him unavailable for at least a few days. With three fifths of the Mets’ rotation questionable to get through five innings, the Mets are continually jettisoning long relievers back to Syracuse in an attempt to have as many arms available in the bullpen as possible.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mark Vientos was removed from Tuesday night’s loss with a sore left wrist. Imaging showed no structural damage but the Mets decided to rest him Wednesday to let the inflammation subside. The injury occurred in his second at-bat and stemmed from a hard swing. The rookie is considered day-to-day.
The Mets are not concerned with the injury, especially since they have Danny Mendick and Jonathan Araúz who can play third base. However, Vientos could be losing out on valuable reps at the hot corner should this injury linger into the next trip.
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