PORT ST. LUCIE – Edwin Diaz still has three days of spring training to consider, but admits the idea of entering Thursday night’s game to protect the Mets leadership is tempting.
It will be Mets-Nationals, Opening Night, and with Jacob deGrom scheduled to start, Diaz is likely to put himself in that situation.
“I’ve been preparing all spring to get ahead, either the eighth or ninth,” Diaz said Friday before the Mets lost 7-3 to Washington in an exhibition game. “And if next Thursday comes and we protect an advantage, I’m looking forward to throwing the eighth or ninth inning, whatever the team needs to get that win.”
It is a comforting proposal for manager Luis Rojas, who this spring has received the perfection of his right hand as he might ask. Diaz had not allowed to run in five appearances, in which he only yielded two successes, without walking and seven blows.
This dominance is the continuation of Diaz’s second half last season, when he was on the verge of being unattainable. Overall, he finished the season with an effectiveness of 1.75 and 50 attacks in 25 innings / ². If there is any question at the start of the camp who would be closer, they have been answered.
“It looks like it’s in a good place,” one explorer said. “Your body language projects confidence.”
The explorer added that the real test would not come until Diaz had to respond to allow a home run with the game on the line. In addition, the consistency of Diaz’s slider “has been and will continue to be a concern,” according to the hearing.
Diaz, 27, entered the camp ready to pitch after a rigorous low-season program, and has impressed team officials with his behavior.
“He’s more mature, one more year in the big leagues,” Rojas said. “Last year we learned a lot because he gave us a lot in the low season and I think he is one of those guys who did it and worked very hard. He is maturing to become a veteran pitcher, a closer veteran. It looked like he was becoming a monster. ”
The centerpiece of the trade that Jarred Kelenic sent to the Mariners before the 2019 season, Diaz achieved disastrous results in his first year with the Mets.
Last season, with no fans in major league stadiums due to the pandemic, Diaz did not face the squad when he failed. Fans are back this season and Diaz said it’s exciting.
“Last year it was a shame MLB couldn’t have fans because of the pandemic,” Diaz said. “Obviously, the fans make the game more fun and that’s why we go out to compete in the same way we do. I definitely look forward to seeing them and hearing their reactions to certain things that happen in the game. That will make it more fun. “
It doesn’t hurt to project that the Mets will compete for the Northeast League title, after a low season that included the arrival of Francisco Lindor, James McCann and a multitude of depth moves.
“From a team standpoint, I’m very happy with how we’ve been,” Diaz said. “As I always say, if we are healthy, we can definitely go a long way. The pitching staff is good, the playing field, the outside field, is an elite team.
“Even our bench is a major league bench and any of these guys can play as everyday players on a lot of teams, but I’m very happy with how we’re looking right now. Personally, I’m excited to have a great year and help the team win and, hopefully, win a World Series with this team. “