Mets notebook: Edwin Diaz threw off the mound, but it’s too early to call for a late-season return
Edwin Diaz threw down a mound Wednesday morning at Citi Field for what is believed to be the first time since tore his right patellar tendon March. It's an important step in his rehab process, but that doesn't mean it meads closer is about to return.
Dropping a hill is one of the standards Diaz must meet, but making it once is just a start. The 29-year-old right-hander still has a long way to go before he can return to competition.
However, the Mets have not yet decided to bring Diaz back this season, assuming he is healthy enough for the pitch. Manager Buck Showalter caught Diaz throwing in front of bullpen cameras and later spoke to him in the clubhouse, but didn't get too involved in the closer's rehab period. Showalter said it's too early to worry about whether or not he'll return to action this season.
“There's still a long way to go,” Showalter said. “I'm not yet involved in the decision-making process.”
At the very least, Diaz's return for a few games this season would provide an emotional boost to a struggling club. Some the trumpet magic might also tempt a few fans to come late in the season. It would answer a few questions for the Mets ahead of an undoubtedly interesting winter.
“He's preparing to be an impactful pitcher for us next year,” Showalter said earlier this week. “Whether it's in his interest to pitch this year, I'll let the medics decide what's best based on Edwin's input. But we're not at the point where he's close enough to discuss it.”
Diaz tore his patella tendon An unusual accident while partying with his Puerto Rican teammates after a win at the World Baseball Classic. Without him, the Mets lacked an adequate number of high-performing substitutes, which became a factor in the team's downfall in 2023.
ROSTER MOVEMENTS
right-handed Denyi Reyes was called up by Triple-A Syracuse to take right-hander Jose Butto's place in the bullpen. Butto pitched 2 2/3 innings Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which left him unavailable for at least a few days. With three-fifths of the Mets' rotation debatable whether it's possible to get through five innings, the Mets are continually throwing long-reliefs back to Syracuse to keep as many guns available in the bullpen as possible.
TRAINING ROOM
Mark Vientos was sidelined after Tuesday night's defeat with a left wrist injury. Imaging showed no structural damage, but the Mets decided to give him a rest Wednesday to allow the inflammation to subside.
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