New York Mets star closer Edwin Díaz sustained a right knee injury Wednesday while celebrating on the Puerto Rico field during the World Baseball Classic, the Mets announced. He will undergo imaging on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
Díaz had to be helped off the field after celebrating with teammates following a 5–2 win over the Dominican Republic.
He appeared unable to put any weight on his right leg before being guided into a wheelchair and through the tunnel.
The star pitcher struckout the side in the bottom of the ninth to clinch the win.
With the win, Puerto Rico has qualified for the quarterfinals, where it will meet Mexico on Saturday.
The Instant Analysis of Athletics:
How could the Mets adapt without Díaz?
It is no mistake that Díaz was the first part of New York’s off-season spending, returning to the club with the richest contract ever handed to a reliever. He earned everything from that deal as the game’s most exciting and effective finisher in 2022, and he showed that form again just before hitting the turf on Wednesday night.
The Mets pride themselves on their depth, but Díaz is by far the most irreplaceable member of their bullpen. If he has to miss a lot of time, New York can turn to veterans Adam Ottavino and David Robertson to share closing duties.